WO2024083315A1

WO2024083315A1 - Technique of holding a container of hygienic material

Info

Publication number: WO2024083315A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/078940
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tobias Gebhardt; Marcel WALZ
Original assignee: Gwa Hygiene Gmbh
Priority date: 2022-10-18
Filing date: 2022-10-18
Publication date: 2024-04-25
Also published as: EP4605714A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a holder assembly for a container of hygienic material, comprising: a holder configured to removably hold a container of hygienic material; and a mounting arrangement configured to mount the holder. The mounting arrangement comprises a sensor arrangement configured to provide a measurement indicative of a combined weight of the holder and the container of hygienic material when the holder is holding the container and/or the holder assembly comprises a quick-release coupling configured to removably couple the holder to the mounting arrangement. Also disclosed herein is a method of characterizing the container. The disclosure further relates to a monitoring system, a mounting system, a computer program, and a carrier carrying the computer program.

Description

Technique of holding a container of hygienic material

Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to a holder assembly for a container of hygienic material, a method of characterizing the container, a monitoring system, a mounting system, a computer program, and a carrier carrying the computer program.

Background

In many scenarios, containers of hygienic material may be provided for various users. For example, a dispenser of a liquid disinfectant may be provided for clinical personnel and visitors of a hospital. As another example, a dispenser of medical gloves or hygienic head coverings may be provided for doctors and nurses of the hospital.

In current solutions, containers of hygienic material may be directly placed on a table in a hospital room or on a tray attached to the wall of the hospital room. Clinical service personnel may visually check a status of such containers periodically. The clinical personnel may then replace empty dispensers with full dispensers, or full collectors with empty collectors, and may replace containers that have fallen onto the floor with containers that are full and/or meet certain hygienic criteria.

Such solutions generally require a high time investment by the clinical personnel and may suffer from further drawbacks.

Summary

There is a need for a technique that solves one or more of the aforementioned or other problems. According to a first aspect, a holder assembly for a container of hygienic material is provided. The holder assembly comprises a holder configured to removably hold a container of hygienic material. The holder assembly further comprises a mounting arrangement configured to mount the holder.

The holder may be configured to removably hold (e.g., retain) the container such that the container can be taken from the holder (e.g., manually, for example without use of tools), for example for being refilled, inspected or replaced. The holder may comprise or be configured as a basket or cage for the container. The holder comprise a recess sized and shaped to match (e.g., an outer surface of) the container. The holder may be configured to support the container at least in a gravitational direction. For example, the holder may comprise a portion configured to support (e.g., a bottom portion of) the container when the container is held by the holder. The holder may be specific for the container or a type of the container. The holder may fulfil at least one of the following criteria: (i) it may be configured to be sterilizable; (ii) it may consist of one or more immobile parts; (iii) it may consist of one or more mechanical parts and/or may not comprise an electronical component; (iv) it may be made from metal (e.g., stainless steel or aluminum), for example from (e.g., folded and/or welded) sheet metal.

The holder may be configured to (e.g., removably) hold, as the container of hygienic material, a dispenser of hygienic material or a collector of hygienic material. In other words, the container may comprise or be a dispenser of hygienic material or a collector of hygienic material. The container may be a disposable article. The container may be configured to be disposed if it is broken, or if its filling status is unsatisfactory (e.g., fails to comply with a predefined filling status or filling level). In the latter case, the container may be configured to be disposed if it is empty (e.g., in case the container is a dispenser) or if it is full (e.g., in case the container is a collector).

The hygienic material may exhibit a predefined hygienic property (e.g., it may be sterile). The hygienic material may comply with a given hygienic standard and/or configured to be used in a procedure that needs to comply with a given hygienic standard. The hygienic material may be configured to (e.g., passively) maintain (e.g., protect) or (e.g., actively) improve the hygiene of an object or body part at which it is applied. The hygienic material may be configured as a single-use material. The hygienic material may comprise one or more of disinfectant, soap, disposable gloves, hygienic wipes, hygienic masks, hygienic head coverings, syringes and other clinical products.

The hygienic material may comprise or be a liquid, gel or foam. The container may be a dispenser of a liquid disinfectant, a dispenser of sanitary gel or a dispenser of foam soap.

The hygienic material may comprise or be (e.g., unused or sterile) hygiene-related products such as disposable gloves, hygienic wipes, hygienic masks, hygienic head coverings or syringes. In one particular variant, the container is a dispenser of disposable gloves, hygienic wipes, hygienic masks, hygienic head coverings or syringes. In another particular variant, the container is a collector for (e.g., used) hygienic products, for example a waste bin for used syringes.

The mounting arrangement may be configured to mount (e.g., attach or secure) the holder relative to an object (e.g., a table, a patient bed or a clinical cart).

Alternatively, or in addition, the mounting arrangement may be configured to mount the holder relative to (e.g., a wall of) a building or a room. The mounting arrangement may be configured to mount the holder in a predefined pose (e.g., at least one of a position and an orientation), for example a predefined pose relative to the object, the building or the room. The mounting arrangement may be configured to mount the holder in a stable (e.g., secure or rigid) pose. The assembly may comprise a stand fixedly attached relative to the mounting arrangement. The stand may be part of the mounting arrangement (e.g., formed together with the mounting component from a single piece of material). The mounting arrangement may be configured to mount the holder on the table via the stand.

The mounting arrangement may comprise a sensor arrangement configured to provide (e.g., generate or acquire) a measurement indicative of a combined weight of (e.g., at least) the holder and the container of hygienic material (e.g., and any hygienic material contained in the container) when the holder is holding the container. The sensor arrangement may be configured to weigh the holder and the container when the holder is holding the container.

The sensor arrangement may be configured to provide, as the measurement indicative of the combined weight, a signal indicative of a (e.g., at least one) force (e.g., a flexural force and/or a rotational force) acting on a (e.g., elastically) deformable part of the mounting arrangement when the holder is holding the container. An amplitude of the (e.g., voltage or current) signal may be (e.g., linearly) proportional to the force.

The sensor arrangement may be configured to provide, as the measurement indicative of the combined weight, a signal indicative of a measured current (e.g., momentary) shape of the deformable part when the holder is holding (e.g., retaining) the container. An amplitude of the (e.g., voltage or current) signal may be (e.g., linearly) proportional to an extension or size of the deformable part in a measurement direction of the sensor arrangement. Alternatively, or in addition, the sensor arrangement may be configured to provide, as the measurement indicative of the combined weight, a signal indicative of a measured deformation of the deformable part when the holder is holding the container. An amplitude or a change in amplitude of the (e.g., voltage or current) signal may be (e.g., linearly) proportional to the deformation.

The deformable part may have a distal end and a proximal end. The proximal end may be fixedly attached relative to the mounting arrangement. The distal end may be configured to carry (e.g., be loaded with) the combined weight of the holder and the container when the holder is holding the container.

The deformable part may be configured to be elastically deformable. The deformable part may exhibit linear elasticity. The deformable part may comprise or be (e.g., configured as) a bending beam (e.g., a single bending beam or a double bending beam). The deformable part may comprise or be (e.g., configured as) a cantilever. The deformable part may be made of metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum or an aluminum alloy). The deformable part may be part of a load cell.

The sensor arrangement may fulfil at least one of the following criteria: (i) it may be configured as part of a force transducer (e.g., of the force acting on the deformable part); (ii) it may comprise one of more (e.g., all) strain gauges (e.g., of the load cell); (iii) it may comprise or be configured as (e.g., part of) a (e.g., the) load cell. The sensor arrangement may comprise a plurality of strain gauges. The strain gauges may be arranged as a Wheatstone bridge. The strain gauges may be part of the load cell. The mounting arrangement may be configured to removably couple (e.g., removably attach) to the holder. The mounting arrangement, when coupled to the holder, may be configured to be removed from the holder manually (e.g., without requiring use of tools).

The deformable part may extend longitudinally along a longitudinal axis. The removably coupled holder (e.g., the holder, when coupled to the mounting arrangement) may be configured to be removed from the mounting arrangement in (e.g,, along) a removal direction. In one variant, the longitudinal axis may be oblique or perpendicular to the removal direction. In another variant, the longitudinal axis may be parallel to the removal direction.

The assembly may comprise a quick-release coupling configured to removably couple the holder to the mounting arrangement. The quick-release coupling may be configured to removably couple the holder to the mounting arrangement in a predefined pose (e.g., relative to the mounting arrangement). The quick-release coupling may be configured to be released manually. Alternatively, or in addition, quick-release coupling may be configured to be released without requiring (e.g., use of) tools. The quick-release coupling may be referred to as a quick release fastener or a quick-release connector.

The quick-release coupling may comprise or be (e.g., configured as) at least one of a snap-in coupling, a catch (e.g., a catch coupling) and a latch coupling.

The mounting arrangement may comprise a first coupling portion. The holder may comprise a second coupling portion matching the first coupling portion. The first coupling portion and the second coupling portion, when coupled to one another, may form or be part of the quick-release coupling. The second coupling portion may be immobile (e.g., at least) relative to the holder. Any (e.g., all) moving components of the quick-release coupling may be comprised in the mounting arrangement.

The quick-release coupling may comprise or be (e.g., configured as) a plug-in coupling. The first coupling portion may be configured as a female coupling portion (e.g., comprise one or more female coupling features) and the second coupling portion may be configured as a male coupling portion (e.g., comprise one or more male coupling features). Alternatively, the first coupling portion may be configured as a male coupling portion and the second coupling portion may be configured as a female coupling portion. The female coupling portion may be configured as a socket (e.g., of the plug-in coupling). The female coupling portion may comprise (e.g., as the female coupling feature(s)) at least one slot, at least one receptacle and/or at least one blind hole. The female coupling portion or the female coupling feature may be (e.g., essentially) slot-shaped. The male coupling portion may be configured as a plug or insert (e.g., of the plug-in coupling). The male coupling portion may comprise (e.g., as the male coupling feature(s)) at least one protrusion (e.g., a pin-shaped or plate-shaped protrusion), at least one lug and/or at least one dee. The male coupling portion or the male coupling feature may be (e.g., essentially) plate-shaped.

The deformable part may comprise the first coupling portion. Alternatively, the first coupling portion may be fixedly attached relative to the deformable part.

The deformable part and the first coupling portion may be arranged (e.g., extend) in parallel. The longitudinal axis of the deformable part may be (e.g., essentially) parallel to a direction along which the slot-shaped female coupling portion and/or the plate-shaped male coupling portion extend (e.g., when the female coupling portion is coupled to the male coupling portion).

The deformable part and the first coupling portion may be arranged in the form of a stack relative to a gravitational direction. The deformable part may be stacked onto the first coupling portion or the first coupling portion may be stacked onto the deformable part (e.g., relative to the gravitational direction). The first coupling portion may be arranged contactless with (e.g., spaced from) the deformable part. The first coupling portion may be attached to the deformable part via one or more fasteners (e.g., a screw, a locking pin or a bolt) of the holder assembly.

The mounting arrangement may comprise a catch or blocking element configured to, in a first state, block a (e.g., manual) removal of the holder from the mounting arrangement and, in a second state, allow the (e.g., manual) removal of the holder from the mounting arrangement. The catch or blocking element may be part of the quick-release coupling. The catch or blocking element may be (e.g., configured to be) biased towards the first state.

The holder assembly may comprise a (e.g., elastic) spring configured to pretension or bias the catch or blocking element (e.g., from the second state) towards the first state. The catch or blocking element may be carried by (e.g., attached to or be part of) the spring. The spring and the catch or blocking element may be formed of a single piece of material (e.g., metal). The catch or blocking element may be a protrusion of the (e.g., leaf) spring. At least one end of the spring may be (e.g., fixedly) attached (e.g., relative) to the first coupling portion.

The catch may be configured to move from the second state to the first state upon coupling the holder to the mounting arrangement (e.g., by inserting the male coupling feature into the male coupling feature). The catch may be configured to move from the first state to the second state and then back to the first state upon coupling the holder to the mounting arrangement (e.g., by closing the quick-release coupling).

The mounting arrangement may comprise a manually moveable knob or slider configured to, when being moved from a first position to a second position, move the catch from the first state to the second state. The knob or slider may be referred to as a release trigger. The first position may be offset from the second position in the gravitational direction.

The assembly may further comprise a collection pan (e.g., a catch tank or collection vessel) configured to collect hygienic material, taken from the container removably held by the holder, when the hygienic material is not applied to a user. The collection pan may be arranged such that a liquid, gel or foam dispensed from the dispenser is collected by the collection pan, in case the container is a dispenser of the liquid. The collection pan may be configured to collect at least one milliliter of a dispensed liquid, gel or foam.

The assembly may comprise at least one sensor configured to measure a weight of the hygienic material collected by the collection pan. The at least one sensor may be part of the sensor arrangement.

The collection pan may be fixedly attached relative to the holder. The collection pan may be part of the holder. The collection pan and the holder may be made from a single piece of material (e.g., sheet metal) and/or may be manufactured as a single component. The collection pan may be configured to be sterilizable. The sensor arrangement may be configured to provide a measurement indicative of a combined weight of the holder, the container and the (e.g., any) hygienic material collected by the collection pan when the holder is holding the container. The mounting arrangement may comprise a repository for a clinical instrument such as a stethoscope. The repository may be fixedly attached relative to the mounting arrangement. The repository may be arranged such that the combined weight (e.g., as measured by the sensor arrangement) is not influenced (e.g., increased) by the clinical instrument when placed on the repository.

The assembly may comprise an acceleration sensor configured to provide a signal indicative of an orientation of at least a part of the holding assembly (e.g., of the mounting arrangement) relative to a gravitational direction. The acceleration sensor may be a three-axis acceleration sensor or a gravitational sensor. The acceleration sensor may be fixedly arranged relative to the mounting arrangement. The acceleration sensor may be coupled with the sensor arrangement and configured to correct the combined weight based on the orientation.

The assembly may comprise one or more measurement electrodes configured to measure a capacitive property of the container when the holder is holding the container. The one or more measurement electrodes may be arranged on (e.g., a surface of) the holder. The one or more measurement electrodes may extend in a gravitational direction (e.g., from a bottom portion of the holder to a top portion of the holder). The one or more measurement electrodes may end on the second coupling portion (e.g., the protrusion). The mounting arrangement may comprise an electrical interface configured to electrically contact (e.g., the ends of) the one or more measurement electrodes when the holder is coupled to the mounting arrangement. The electrical interface may be part of the first coupling portion or arranged on the first coupling portion.

The assembly may comprise a wakeup sensor configured to detect a change of the amount of hygienic material held by the container and/or detect an event indicative of an anticipated change of the amount of hygienic material held by the container. The event may be detected upon detecting a presence or movement (e.g., an approach) of a person within a predefined spatial area surrounding the assembly. The sensor arrangement and/or the acceleration sensor may be configured as the wakeup sensor. The wakeup sensor may be or comprise a distance sensor, a movement sensor and/or a passive infrared, PIR, sensor. The assembly may comprise a reading sensor configured to read information from a data tag of the container (e.g., in a contactless manner) when the holder is holding the container. The data tag may comprise or be a printed data label (e.g., a bar code or a quick response, QR, code) or may comprise or be an electronic label (e.g., an radio frequency identification, RFID, tag or a near field communication, NFC, tag). The reading sensor may be an optical sensor (e.g., an image sensor such as a camera) or a wireless reader (e.g., a RFID reader or a NFC reader).

The assembly may comprise an electrical interface for an upgrade module. The upgrade module may (e.g., be configured to) provide at least one of the following functionalities: (i) measuring a distance to an object in the surroundings of the mounting assembly; (ii) detecting a movement of a person in the surroundings of the mounting assembly; (iii) providing a visual, a haptic and/or an auditory output to a user; (iv) transmitting data from the mounting assembly via a wireless connection to one or more external entities; (v) measuring one or more atmospheric parameters. The assembly may comprise the upgrade module (e.g., coupled to the electrical interface).

The holder assembly or the upgrade module may comprise a wireless data transmission unit. The wireless data transmission unit may be configured to transmit data (e.g., data from the mounting arrangement, for example (e.g., data based on) the measurements of the sensor arrangement) via a wireless connection to one or more external entities, for example to a base station or to the processing system described herein. The data may be directly transmitted from the holder assembly to the base station or processing system.

The wireless data transmission unit may be part of a transceiver also configured to receive signals or data. The transmission of the data may be performed via an additional transceiver, which may be configured as a passive transponder, such as a transceiver attached to the clothes of a user operating the container. In still another variant, the wireless data transmission unit may transmit the data to a (e.g., transceiver of a) second holder assembly to which it is radio-connected. The second holder assembly may optionally transmit the data to a third holder assembly to which it is radio-connected. This transmission chain may continue until a last holder assembly transmits the data to a base station ("bridging architecture")- All holder assemblies may be configured as part of a mesh network. To this end, the transceivers of the respective holder assemblies may communicate with one another. The data may be transmitted using a given range of frequencies, for example a range between 100 MHz to 2.4 GHz. In another example, the data may be transmitted over a cellular communication link or a millimeter wave band (e.g., 60 GHz). The wireless data transmission unit may be configured as a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transmitter. The transceiver(s) may each be configured as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) transceivers. The data may be transmitted to the base station (e.g., the processing system) via a satellite link. The wireless data transmission unit may be configured to transmit the data (e.g., directly) to one or more satellites (e.g., of the Starlink satellite system or the Kuiper satellite system).

The assembly may comprise an energy harvesting arrangement configured to provide one or more electrical components of at least one of (i) the mounting assembly and (ii) the upgrade module with harvested electrical energy. The one or more electrical components may comprise at least one of (i) the sensor assembly, (ii) the upgrade unit or any component thereof and (iii) one or more other sensors of the assembly. The energy harvesting arrangement may be configured to harvest (e.g., photonic or electromagnetic) energy from a surrounding of the assembly. To this end, the energy harvesting arrangement may comprise a solar cell or be configured as a wireless energy harvesting unit. The energy harvesting arrangement may be configured to harvest energy from forces applied onto the deformable element. To this end, the energy harvesting arrangement may comprise one or more piezoelectric elements arranged on the deformable element. The energy harvested from the forces applied onto the deformable element may be indicative of the combined weight. The energy harvesting arrangement may be configured as the wakeup sensor.

One or more of the reading sensor, the wakeup sensor, the acceleration sensor and the energy harvesting arrangement may be part of the mounting arrangement. One or more of the reading sensor, the wakeup sensor, the acceleration sensor and the energy harvesting arrangement may be part of the upgrade module.

The assembly may comprise a housing. Any electronical component (e.g., all electronical components) of the mounting arrangement may be encased by the housing. The housing may be attached to the mounting arrangement, for example via a snap-fit coupling. The housing may be configured to protect the encased electrical components from an outer environment. According to a second aspect, a method of determining at least one parameter related to a container of hygienic material, the container being removably held by a holder of a holder assembly comprising a sensor arrangement, is provided. The holder assembly may be the holder assembly according to the first aspect and the holder may be the holder of the holder assembly according to the first aspect.

The method comprises obtaining a measurement from (e.g., via) the sensor arrangement indicative of a combined weight of the holder and the container of hygienic material when the holder is holding the container. The measurement may be obtained via the wireless data transmission unit of the holder assembly (e.g., via the mesh network of multiple holder assemblies or via one or more transponders).

The method comprises determining, based on the measurement, at least one parameter. The at least one parameter characterizes at least one of (i) the container, (ii) the hygienic material contained in the container and (iii) a use (e.g., actuation) of the container.

The at least one parameter may be selected from (e.g., comprise one of more of) a presence of the container in the holder, a filling state (e.g., a filling height, filling level or filling amount) of the container, a type (e.g., a size or capacity) of the container, an actuation or use of the container (e.g., a number of uses of the container), an amount (e.g., a volume or a number) of hygienic material contained by the container, and a type or property (e.g., a density) of the hygienic material contained by the container.

The method may comprise comparing the determined filling state or amount of hygienic material with a previous filling state or amount of hygienic material to determine a weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container or that was put into the container.

The method may comprise determining whether the weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container or that was put into the container meets at least one predefined criterion.

The method may comprise determining (e.g., based on whether the weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container or that was put into the container meets the at least one predefined criterion) whether the container is empty, whether the container is dysfunctional and/or whether the hygienic material is still held by the holder assembly. For example, the at least one predefined criterion may comprise a minimum weight of hygienic material to be taken from the container. If the weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container does not correspond to or exceed the minimum weight, it may be determined that the container is empty, dysfunctional or that the hygienic material is still held by the holder assembly.

The method may comprise obtaining a signal indicative of an orientation of at least a part (e.g., the mounting arrangement) of the holder assembly relative to a gravitational direction. The signal maybe obtained from or via the acceleration sensor, or from another sensor that may be external to the assembly (e.g., from a camera acquiring an image of the assembly). The method may comprise determining the at least one parameter further based on the orientation. For example, the combined weight as indicated by the measurement of the sensor arrangement may be corrected based on the orientation (e.g., to compensate for an angular misalignment of the mounting arrangement relative to the gravitational direction). The correction may comprise or be a trigonometric correction.

The method may further comprise obtaining a signal indicative of a use (e.g., an actuation, movement, shaking or abrupt acceleration) of the container of hygienic material. The signal may be obtained from the sensor arrangement, the wakeup sensor or the acceleration sensor. The method may further comprise determining, based on the signal indicative of the use of the container, a number of interactions (e.g., a number of dispensing actions) of a user with the container. The number of interactions may correspond to a number of uses or actuations of the container.

The method may comprise determining, for each of a plurality of containers held by holders of different holder assemblies (e.g., each being configured according to the first aspect), a number of uses or actuations. The method may comprise obtaining (e.g., via the mesh network, via one or more transceivers or directly from each of the holder assemblies), for each of the plurality of containers, the signal indicative of a use of the respective container. The method may comprise comparing the number of uses of the plurality of containers with one another. The method may comprise associating the number of uses of the respective container with a location at which the holder assembly associated with the respective container is arranged. The method may comprise optimizing locations (e.g., determining optimal locations) at which the holder assemblies are (e.g., to be) arranged to maximize the number of uses of the containers over time.

The method may further comprise determining, based on the number of interactions, whether the container is empty, whether the container is dysfunctional and/or whether the hygienic material is still held by the holder assembly after one or more interactions. A number of unsuccessful interactions may be determined. For example, the determined weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container may be divided by the number of interactions to determine an average weight of hygienic material taken from the container per interaction. The method may comprise comparing the average weight with a predefined minimum average weight. If the average weight does not correspond to or exceed the predefined minimum average weight, it may be determined that the container is empty, dysfunctional or that the hygienic material is still held by the holder assembly and/or a number of unsuccessful interactions may be determined.

The method may further comprise obtaining a signal indicative of a change of the amount of hygienic material held by the holder and/or an event indicative of an anticipated change of the amount of hygienic material held by the holder. The signal may be obtained from the wakeup sensor, or the sensor arrangement and/or the acceleration sensor when configured as the wakeup sensor. The method may comprise, in response to obtaining the signal, activating (e.g., from a standby state to an active state) one or more components of the assembly (e.g., activating the sensor arrangement to obtain the measurement therefrom).

The method may further comprise obtaining a signal indicative of a (e.g., combined) capacitive property (e.g., a permittivity) of the container held by the holder (e.g., and the material contained in the container). The signal may be obtained from or via the one or more measurement electrodes. The method may comprise determining, based on the capacitive property, the at least one parameter and/or a type or property of the hygienic material. This determination may comprise comparing a measured capacitive property with a set of predefined capacitive properties associated with different parameters and/or different types or properties of the hygienic material. The method may further comprise obtaining a signal indicative of information read from a data tag of the container. This signal may be obtained from the reading sensor. The method may comprise determining, based on the information read from the data tag, the at least one parameter and/or a type or property of the hygienic material.

A plurality of predefined parameters and, optionally, a plurality of predefined types or properties of the hygienic material may be stored (e.g., in a table) in association with different (e.g., values) of measurements (e.g., different combined weights). The at least one parameter and/or the type or property of the hygienic material may be determined based on the obtained measurement and, optionally, based on one or more of the obtained signal(s), for example by correlating (e.g., matching) the obtained measurement and, optionally, the one or more signal(s), with one of the predefined parameters and/or one of the predefined types or properties of the hygienic material (e.g., associated with a best matching measurement). Other variants are also possible. For example, the at least one parameter and/or the type or property of the hygienic material may be determined using a trained machine learning model or an artificial intelligence software module. The same approach(es) may be used for determining whether the container is dysfunctional and/or whether the hygienic material is still held by the holder assembly, and/or for determining the number of interactions of a user with the container.

The holder assembly according to the first aspect may further comprise at least one processor. The at least one processor may be configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or individual steps of the method according to the second aspect. The measurements may be obtained by the at least one processor of the holder assembly directly from the sensor arrangement.

According to a third aspect, a monitoring system is provided. The monitoring system comprises at least one holder assembly according to the first aspect. The monitoring system further comprises a processing system communicatively coupled to the at least one holder assembly and configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or individual steps of the method according to the second aspect. To this end, the monitoring system may comprise at least one processor configured to perform the method according to the second aspect or individual steps of the method according to the second aspect. The measurements may be (e.g., wirelessly) obtained by the at least one processor of the processing system via the wireless data transmission unit of the holder assembly. The processing system may be implemented on or configured as a server. The processing system may be configured as a distributed processing system. The processing system may be part of a computing environment of a hospital. The processing system may be configured as a base station or communicatively coupled to a (e.g., cellular) base station.

According to a fourth aspect, a mounting system for a container of hygienic material is provided. The mounting system comprises the holding assembly according to the first aspect. The mounting system further comprises a plurality of the holders, differing from one another in a type and/or size of container for which they are configured (e.g., which they are configured to hold).

According to a fifth aspect, a computer program is provided. The computer program comprises instructions which, when executed by at least one processor (e.g., of the assembly or of the processing system), cause the at least one processor to perform the method according to the second aspect.

According to a sixth aspect, a carrier (e.g., a memory of the assembly or the processing system) is provided. The carrier carries the computer program according to the fifth aspect. The carrier may be a computer-readably (e.g., non-transitory) storage medium or a data stream.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further details, advantages and aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a holder assembly, and a container, in accordance with the present disclosure;

Fig. 2 shows the holder assembly without a container;

Fig. 3 shows the holder assembly with the holder decoupled from the mounting arrangement; Fig. 4 shows an explosive drawing of the holder assembly;

Fig. 5 shows a mounting arrangement of the holder assembly;

Fig. 6 shows a first enlarged view of a portion of the holder assembly;

Fig. 7 shows a second enlarged view of the portion of the holder assembly;

Fig. 8 shows an enlarged view of the mounting arrangement of the holder assembly;

Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment of a holder assembly, and a container, in accordance with the present disclosure;

Fig. 10 shows a third embodiment of a holder assembly, and a container, in accordance with the present disclosure;

Fig. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of a holder assembly, and a container, in accordance with the present disclosure;

Fig. 12 shows a fifth embodiment of a holder assembly, and a container, in accordance with the present disclosure;

Fig. 13 shows the holder assembly of the fifth embodiment with the holder decoupled from the mounting arrangement;

Fig. 14 shows an embodiment of a monitoring system in accordance with the present disclosure; and

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

In the following description, exemplary embodiments will be explained with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features. Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a holder assembly 2 for a container 4 of hygienic material. The holder assembly 2 comprises a basket-shaped holder 6 configured to removably retain the container 4. In the illustrated example, the container 4 is a disposable dispenser of a liquid disinfectant. The holder assembly 2, in particular the holder 4, may be adapted for other types of containers 4 such as boxes of medical gloves or hygienic head coverings, or a waste bin for used syringes. The basketshaped holder 6 is a sterilizable component and may be made of folded sheet metal. The holder 6 may consist of rigid or immobile parts.

As also shown in Fig. 2, the assembly 2 further comprises a mounting arrangement 8 configured to mount the holder 6 in a predefined pose relative to the mounting arrangement 8, for example on a wall of a hospital room. The mounting arrangement 8 in the illustrated example comprises a base plate 10 made of folded sheet metal, although other variants are possible. The base plate 10 may have elongate fixation holes 12 sized and arranged to match existing fixation points of commonly used (e.g., permanently installed) holders for containers of hygienic material.

The holder 6 may need to be cleaned or sterilized from time to time. Also, the holder 6 may need to be replaced with a holder 6 configured for a different type of container. To this end, in one variant, the mounting arrangement 8 is configured to removably couple to the holder 6. This variant is illustrated in Fig. 3, in which the holder 6 is shown decoupled from the mounting arrangement 8. To enable such a removable coupling, the assembly 2 may comprise a quick-release coupling 14. In the illustrated example, the quick-release coupling 14 is a plug-in coupling and formed by a first coupling portion 31 of the mounting arrangement 8, comprising a slot-shaped recess 16, and by a second coupling portion 33 of the holder 6, comprising a plate-shaped protrusion 18. In this way, the quick-release coupling 14 can removably couple the holder 6 to the mounting arrangement 8 in a predefined pose. The protrusion 18 is in this example configured to be inserted into the recess 16 and the coupling 14 is a snap-in coupling configured to avoid unintentional removal of the holder 6 from the mounting arrangement 8. To still enable an easy removal of the holder 6 from the mounting arrangement 8 if desired, the quickrelease coupling 14 may be configured to be released manually.

Fig. 4 shows an explosive drawing of the holder assembly 2 and Fig. 5 to Fig. 8 show enlarged views of portions of the holder assembly 2. As can be seen, the mounting arrangement 8 may comprise a repository 20 for a clinical instrument such as a stethoscope. The repository 20 may be part of the base plate 10 and may be formed of bended sheet metal.

To enable an (e.g., automated) monitoring of the container 6, the mounting arrangement in the illustrated example comprises a sensor arrangement 22 configured to provide a measurement indicative of a combined weight of the holder 6 and the container 4 when the holder 6 is holding the container 4.

In the illustrated example, the mounting arrangement 8 comprises a double bending beam 24 onto which a plurality of strain gauges 26 are attached in predefined positions and orientations. For example, two strain gauges 26 may be attached on an upper side of the beam 24 and two additional strain gauges 26 may be attached on an opposite lower side of the beam 24, although other numbers and arrangements of strain gauges are possible. A proximal end 28 of the beam 24 is fixedly attached relative to the mounting arrangement 8, for example to the base plate 10. An opposite distal end 30 of the beam 24 is freely movable relative to the proximal end 28, which means the beam 24 is configured as a cantilever. The distal end 30 of the beam 24 is fixedly attached relative to the first coupling portion 31 of the mounting arrangement 8. The first coupling portion 31 in this example comprises a female coupling feature, namely the recess 16, and is configured to couple to a matching second coupling portion 33, which comprises a matching male coupling feature, namely the protrusion 18 of the holder 6. The assembly 2 is configured such that all weight of the holder 6 and the container 4, when held by the holder 6, is loaded onto the first coupling portion 31 when the holder 6 is coupled to the mounting arrangement 8. A force resulting from this weight acts on the distal end 30 of the beam 24, resulting in a deformation of the beam 24. The double bending beam 24 together with the strain gauges 26, which may be arranged as a Wheatstone bridge, forms a load cell. In this manner, the sensor arrangement 22 can provide a signal, the amplitude of which reflects an elastic deformation of the double bending beam 24 (e.g., relative to an initial state thereof), which is indicative of the combined weight of the holder 6 and the container 4.

The beam 24 extends along a longitudinal axis 32 and the holder 6, for being decoupled to the mounting arrangement 8, needs to be moved into a removal direction 34. In the illustrated example, the axis 32 and the direction 34 are orthogonal. The beam 24 in this example is arranged in parallel to the slot 16. One may say that the slot 16 and the beam 24 form a stack.

As mentioned above, to avoid unintentional removal of the holder 6 from the mounting arrangement 8, the quick-release coupling 14 may be a snap-in coupling. As apparent from Fig. 6 to Fig. 8, the mounting arrangement 8 may comprise a wedge-shaped catch 36 configured to, in a first state, block a removal of the holder 6 from the mounting arrangement 8 and, in a second state, allow the removal 6 of the holder from the mounting arrangement 8. The catch 36 may be part a protrusion formed on a leaf spring 38 and may be biased towards the first state by the leaf spring 38. In the illustrated example, one end of the spring 38 is attached to the distal end 30 of the beam 24, although other variants are possible. When the protrusion 18 is inserted into the slot 16, the spring 38 is deformed such that the catch 36 moves from the first state to the second state, in the illustrated example into the gravitational direction 56. Upon further inserting the protrusion into the slot 16 to safely couple the holder 6 to the mounting arrangement, the catch 36 snaps into a through-hole 40 of the protrusion 18, thereby moving from the second state to the first state. The catch 36 thus locks the protrusion 18 in place. In order to remove the holder 6 from the mounting arrangement 8, a user may manually shift a slider 42, which is fixedly attached relative to the spring 38 (e.g., to the free end of the spring 38), to move the catch 36 from the first state to the second state (e.g., into the gravitational direction 56), thereby moving the catch 36 out of the through-hole 38. This unlocks the holder 6, which may then be manually removed in the removal direction 34.

As indicated in Figs. 2 and 4, the assembly 2 may comprise one or more measurement electrodes 57 configured to measure a capacitive property of the container 4 when the holder 6 is holding the container 4. The electrodes 57 may be parallel to one another and extend along the gravitational direction 56 (e.g., from the protrusion 18 to a bottom portion of the holder 6). The electrodes 57 may be glued onto the holder 6, printed onto the holder 6 or formed on the holder 6 using a galvanic and/or a metal vapor deposition process. The mounting arrangement 8 may comprises an electrical interface (not shown) configured to electrically contact the one or more measurement electrodes 57 when the holder 6 is coupled to the mounting arrangement 8. The electrical interface may be arranged on or be part of the first coupling portion 31. The capacitive property of the container 4 may be used for determining a filling state or type of the container 4, or an amount or type of hygienic material inside the holder 4.

Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment of the holder assembly 2. The holder assembly 2 and the container 4 may be configured as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the assembly 2 comprises a stand 44 fixedly attached relative to the mounting arrangement 8, wherein the mounting arrangement 8 is configured to mount the holder 6 on a flat surface (e.g., a table or a top of a medical tray) via the stand 44.

Fig. 10 shows a third embodiment of the holder assembly 2. The holder assembly 2 and the container 4 may be configured as in the first and/or second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the assembly 2 comprises a collection pan 46 configured to collect hygienic material, taken from the container 4 removably held by the holder 6, when the hygienic material is not applied to a user. The collection pan 46 may be configured to collect at least one milliliter of a dispensed liquid, gel or foam. The assembly 2 may comprise at least one sensor configured to measure a weight of the hygienic material collected by the collection pan 46. This sensor may be part of the sensor assembly or the sensor assembly may be configured to provide a measurement indicative of a combined weight of the holder 6, the container 4 and the hygienic material collected by the collection pan 46 when the holder 6 is holding the container 4. To this end, the collection pan 46 may be fixedly attached relative to the holder 6. For example, the collection pan 26 may be formed together with the holder 6 from a single sheet of metal.

Fig. 11 shows a fourth embodiment of the holder assembly 2. The holder assembly 2 and the container 4 may be configured as in the first, second and/or third embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the assembly 2 further comprises an upgrade module 48. The upgrade module 48 may be permanently couplet to the mounting arrangement 8 or may be removably coupled thereto. The mounting arrangement 8 may comprise an electrical interface for electrically connecting the upgrade module 48 with the mounting arrangement 8.

The upgrade module 48 may comprise a display 50 (e.g., an E-paper display) to provide a visual output to a user. For example, feedback may be given to a user after use of the dispenser 4 regarding whether the amount of dispensed disinfectant was sufficient for disinfecting the user's hands. The module 48 may be configured for other types of output. For example, the module 48 may comprise a speaker 52 for providing a visual output and/or a vibrating actuator for providing a haptic output to the user.

The upgrade module 48 may alternatively or additionally be configured to measure a distance to an object in the surroundings of the mounting assembly 2. To this end, the module 48 may comprise a distance sensor 54 (e.g., a time of flight sensor, or a stereo camera). The module 48 may be configured to detect a movement of a person in the surroundings of the mounting assembly 2. To this end, the module 48 may comprise a movement sensor 56 (e.g., a passive infrared sensor, PIR) monitoring the surroundings. The module 48 may comprise one or more sensors configured to measure one or more atmospheric parameters such as a temperature, a concentration of a given gas (e.g., oxygen or carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide or gaseous ethanol) or a humidity.

The module 48 may comprise a wireless data transmission unit. The module 48 may be configured to transmit data (e.g., from the mounting arrangement 8, in particular data based on measurements of the sensor assembly 22) via a wireless connection to one or more external entities, for example to a base station (e.g., the processing system described herein). The data may be directly transmitted from the assembly 2 to the base station. Alternatively, the transmission may be performed via an additional transceiver, which may be configured as a passive transponder, such as a transceiver attached to the clothes of a user operating the container 4. In a still further variant, the data may be transmitted to the base station via a mesh network formed by a plurality of holder assemblies 2. The data may be transmitted using a BLE connection or using a given range of frequencies, for example a range between 100 MHz to 2.4 GHz, a cellular communication frequency or a millimeter wave frequency such as 60 GHz. The holder assembly 2 may be configured to transmit the data (e.g., directly) to the base station or processing system via one or more satellites (e.g., of the Starlink satellite system or the Kuiper satellite system).

Fig. 12 shows a fifth embodiment of the sensor assembly 2. The holder assembly 2 may be configured as in the first, second, third and/or fourth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, the holder 6 is configured to removably hold a box-shaped container 4, for example a box containing disposable gloves, one may say that the holder 6 is formed as a clamp for the container 4. Generally speaking, the holder 6 may be configured to allow removal of the container 4 into only one predefined direction. This may also apply to holders 6 adapted for other types of containers 4. Also in the example shown in Fig. 12, the holder 6 may be a sterilizable component made from (e.g._z a single sheet of) bended sheet metal.

As indicated in Fig. 13, the holder 6 of the assembly 2 according to the fifth embodiment may be removably coupled to the mounting arrangement 8. To this end, the assembly 2 may comprise the same quick-release coupling 14 described above for the first embodiment.

The mounting arrangement 8 described herein may thus be coupled to different types of holders 6, i.e., to holders 6 differing from one another in the type, size and/or shape of container 4 which they are configured to removably hold. Thus, the present disclosure also provides for a mounting system comprising the holding assembly 2 according to any one of the first to fifth embodiment, and a plurality of the holders 6, differing from one another in a type, shape and/or size of container 4 for which they are configured. Such a holder 6 may be configured to hold, as the container 4, a disposable container 4. The respective holder 6 may be configured to hold, as the container 4, a dispenser of a liquid disinfectant or foam soap (e.g., as described for the first to fourth embodiment), a dispenser of medical products such as gloves, head coverings or facial masks (e.g., as described for the fifth embodiment), or another type of dispenser of hygienic material. As another example, the respective holder 6 may be configured to hold, as the container 4, a collector (e.g., a waste bin) of used syringes. Other variants are also possible.

In any of the first to fifth embodiment, the assembly 2 may comprise an acceleration sensor 58 configured to provide a signal indicative of an orientation of the mounting arrangement 8 relative to a gravitational direction 56. The orientation may be used to correct the combined weight as indicated by the measurements of the sensor assembly 22 for compensating an angular misalignment of the mounting arrangement 8 relative to the gravitational direction 56.

In any of the first to fifth embodiment, the assembly 2 may comprise a wakeup sensor 60 configured to detect a change of the amount of hygienic material held by the container 4 and/or detect an event indicative of an anticipated change of the amount of hygienic material held by the container 4. The sensor assembly 22 may be used as the wakeup sensor. For example, in case a change of the shape of the beam 24 exceeds a predefined threshold (e.g., within a predefined time interval), it may be assumed or detected that the container 4 was actively used by a user to remove or insert hygienic material. Alternatively, or in addition, the distance sensor 54 or the movement sensor 56 may be used as the wakeup sensor. For example, in case a person is detected within a predefined distance from the assembly 2, it may be assumed (e.g., detected as the event) that the person will actively use the container 4 to remove or insert hygienic material.

In any of the first to fifth embodiment, the assembly 2 may comprise a reading sensor 62 configured to read information from a data tag of the container 4 when the holder is holding the container. The data tag may be a printed data label (e.g., a bar code or a quick response, QR, code) or may be an electronic label (e.g., an radio frequency identification, RFID, tag or a near field communication, NFC, tag). The reading sensor 62 may be an optical sensor (e.g., an image sensor such as a camera) or a wireless reader (e.g., a RFID reader or a NFC reader). The information read from the data tag may be used to determine a type, size, age, shape and/or content of the container 4.

In any of the first to fifth embodiment, the assembly 2 may comprise an energy harvesting arrangement 64 configured to provide one or more electrical components of the mounting assembly 8 and/or of the upgrade module 48 with harvested electrical energy. The one or more electrical components may comprise at least one of (i) the sensor assembly 22, (ii) the upgrade unit 48 or any component thereof and (iii) one or more of the sensors 58, 60, 62. The energy harvesting arrangement 64 may be configured to harvest (e.g., photonic or electromagnetic) energy from a surrounding of the assembly 2. To this end, the energy harvesting arrangement 64 my comprise a solar cell or be configured as a wireless energy harvesting unit. The energy harvesting arrangement 64 may be configured to harvest energy from forces applied onto the beam 24. To this end, the energy harvesting arrangement 64 may comprise one or more piezoelectric elements arranged on the beam 24.

In any of the first to fifth embodiment, the assembly 2 may comprise a housing 66. One or more, for example all, electronical components of the mounting arrangement 8 may be encased by the housing 66. The housing 66 may be attached to the mounting arrangement 8, for example the base plate 10 (e.g., via a snap-fit coupling). The housing 66 may be configured to protect the electrical components encased therein from an outer environment. The housing 66 may comprise an opening for the first and/or second coupling portion. For example, the housing 66 may comprise a slot-shaped opening aligned with the slot-shaped recess 16 of the mounting arrangement 8.

Fig. 14 shows an embodiment of a monitoring system 68 in accordance with the present disclosure. The monitoring system 68 comprises at least one assembly 2 as described herein. The monitoring system 68 further comprises a processing system 70 communicatively coupled to the at least one assembly 2. The processing system 70 may be located remotely from the at least one assembly 2 and may be implemented as a server or on a cloud computing platform. In the illustrated example, the processing system 70 comprises at least one processor 72 communicatively coupled to at least one memory 74. Each of the at least one assembly 2 may comprise at least one processor or measurement acquisition unit 76 and at least one interface 78. Each of the at least one assembly 2 may communicate with (e.g., transmit a signal or a data packet) the processing system 70 via a wired or wireless connection 80 between the interface 78 and an interface 82 of the processing system. The connection 80 may be a direct link. Alternatively, the connection 80 may be formed via one or more (e.g., intermediate or bridge) transponders, for example transponders worn by medical personnel. The connection 80 may alternatively be formed via one or more holder assemblies 2, which may be part of a mesh network. As also indicated in Fig. 14, the at least one assembly 2 may comprise at least one memory 84 communicatively coupled to the at least one processor 76.

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present disclosure. The method may be performed by the at least one processor 76 of the assembly 2. Alternatively, or in addition, the method may be performed by the processing system 70 (e.g., by the at least one processor 72). Some steps of the method may be performed by the processor 76 whereas other steps may be performed by the processing system 70. The present disclosure also provides for a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor 72 and/or 76, cause the at least one processor to perform the method. The computer program may be stored on the at least one memory 74 and/or 84.

In optional step 102, a signal indicative of a change of the amount of hygienic material held by the container 4 and/or an event indicative of an anticipated change of the amount of hygienic material held by the container 4 is obtained (e.g., from or via the wakeup sensor 60). In optional step 104, in response to obtaining the signal in step 102, one or more electrical components of the assembly 2 are activated from a standby state to an active state. For example, the sensor arrangement 22 may be activated in step 104 as a wakeup action.

In step 106, a measurement indicative of a combined weight of the holder and the container of hygienic material when the holder is holding the container is obtained. The measurement is obtained from or via the sensor assembly 22.

In optional step 108, a signal indicative of an orientation of at least a part of the holder assembly 2 (e.g., the mounting arrangement 8, for example the base plate 10) relative to the gravitational direction 56 is obtained. This signal may be obtained from or via the acceleration sensor 58. The orientation may be determined in step 108 based on the obtained signal, for example by averaging orientations measured at different points in time (e.g., within a predefined time interval and/or deviation from one another less than a predefined percentage or absolute amount).

In optional step 110, a signal indicative of a capacitive property of the container 4 held by the holder 6 is obtained. This signal may be obtained from or via the one or more measurement electrodes 57.

In optional step 112, a signal indicative of information read from a data tag of the container 4 is obtained. This signal may be obtained from or via the reading sensor 62.

In step 114, at least one parameter characterizing the container 4 and/or the hygienic material contained in the container 4 is determined based on the measurement obtained in step 106 and, optionally, based on the signal(s) obtained in steps 108, 110 and/or 112. The at least one parameter may be selected from a presence of the container 4 in the holder 6, a filling state of the container 4, a type of the container 4, an amount of hygienic material contained by the container 4, and a type or property of the hygienic material contained by the container 4. Step 114 may comprise correcting the combined weight as indicated by the measurement obtained in step 106 based on the orientation indicated by the signal obtained in optional step 108. This may adjust for an angular misalignment of the mounting arrangement 8, in particular the beam 24, relative to the gravitational direction 56. The capacitive property indicated by the signal obtained in optional step 110 may be compared with one or more predetermined capacitive properties (e.g., associated with different types of hygienic material (e.g., different liquids) or different types of containers) to determine one or more of the at least one parameter. The information read from the data tag indicated by the signal obtained in optional step 112 may be indicative of a type, size, shape, age and/or content of the container and thus be used for determining one or more of the at least one parameter. Other variants of using the information obtained in steps 106 to 112 for determining one or more of the at least one parameter are also possible.

In optional step 116, a weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container 6 or that was put into the container 6 is determined. Step 116 may comprise comparing the determined filling state or amount of hygienic material with a previous filling state or amount of hygienic material.

In optional step 118, it is determined whether the weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container 6 or that was put into the container 6 meets at least one predefined criterion.

If the weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container 6 does not correspond to or exceed a predetermined minimum weight of hygienic material to be taken from the container 6 (i.e., in case condition 120 is met), it is determined in optional step 122 that the container 6 is empty, dysfunctional or that the hygienic material is still held by the holder assembly 2 (e.g., by the collection pan 46).

In optional step 124, a signal indicative of a use of the container 4 is obtained. This signal may be indicative of an actuation of the dispenser 4. This signal may be obtained from or via the sensor arrangement 22 and/or from one or more of the sensors 54, 56, 58, 60.

In optional step 126, based on the signal obtained in step 124, a number of interactions of a user with the container 4 is determined.

Based on the number of interactions determined in step 126 and based on the weight of hygienic material taken from the container 6 as determined in step 116, a number of unsuccessful interactions may be determined in optional step 128 and/or it may be determined that the container 6 is empty, dysfunctional or the hygienic material is still held by the holder assembly 2 (e.g., the collection pan 46). For example, the weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container 6 (e.g., as determined in step 116) may be divided by the number of interactions (e.g., as determined in step 126) to determine an average weight of hygienic material taken from the container 6 per interaction. The average weight may then be compared with a predefined minimum average weight, and, if the average weight does not correspond to or exceed the predefined minimum average weight, it may be determined (e.g., in step 122) that the container is empty, dysfunctional or that the hygienic material is still held by the holder assembly and/or a number of unsuccessful interactions may be determined (e.g., in step 128). The embodiments described herein may be combined with one another. For example, the assembly 8 may comprise both the collection pan 46 and the stand 44. Furthermore, not all features described for the respective embodiments may be required. For example, the mounting arrangement 8 may not comprise the elongate fixation holes 12, but circular holes or no holes at all. Other modification may become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A holder assembly (2) for a container (4) of hygienic material, comprising: a holder (6) configured to removably hold a container (4) of hygienic material; and a mounting arrangement (8) configured to mount the holder (6), characterized in that the mounting arrangement (8) comprises a sensor arrangement (22) configured to provide a measurement indicative of a combined weight of the holder (6) and the container (4) of hygienic material when the holder (6) is holding the container (4).

2. The assembly (2) of claim 1, wherein the sensor arrangement (22) is configured to provide, as the measurement indicative of the combined weight, a signal indicative of a force acting on a deformable part (24) of the mounting arrangement (8) when the holder (6) is holding the container (4).

3. The assembly (2) of claim 2, wherein the sensor arrangement (22) is configured to provide, as the measurement indicative of the combined weight, at least one of (i) a signal indicative of a measured current shape of the deformable part (24) when the holder (6) is holding the container (4) and (ii) a signal indicative of a measured deformation of the deformable part (24) when the holder (6) is holding the container (4).

4. The assembly (2) of claim 2 or 3, wherein the deformable part (24) has a distal end (30) and a proximal end (28), wherein the proximal end (28) is fixedly attached relative to the mounting arrangement (8) and the distal end (30) is configured to carry the combined weight of the holder (6) and the container (4) when the holder (6) is holding the container (4).

5. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the deformable part (24) is configured as a bending beam such as a single bending beam or a double bending beam. 6. The assembly (2) of claim any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the deformable part (24) is configured as a cantilever.

7. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sensor arrangement (8) fulfils at least one of the following criteria:

(i) it is configured as part of a force transducer;

(ii) it comprises one of more strain gauges (26);

(iii) it is configured as part of a load cell.

8. The assembly (2) of claim 7, wherein the sensor arrangement (22) comprises a plurality of strain gauges (22) arranged as a Wheatstone bridge.

9. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mounting arrangement (8) is configured to removably couple to the holder (6).

10. The assembly (2) of claim 9 when depending on claim 2, wherein the deformable part (24) extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis (32) and the removably coupled holder (6) is configured to be removed from the mounting arrangement (8) in a removal direction (34), wherein the longitudinal axis (32) is oblique or perpendicular to the removal direction (34).

11. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 10, or according to the preamble of claim 1, further comprising: a quick-release coupling (14) configured to removably couple the holder (6) to the mounting arrangement (8).

12. The assembly (2) of claim 11, wherein the quick-release coupling (14) is configured to removably couple the holder (6) to the mounting arrangement (8) in a predefined pose.

13. The assembly (2) of claim 11 or 12, wherein the quick-release coupling (14) is configured to be released manually and/or without requiring tools.

14. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the quick-release coupling (14) comprises a snap-in, catch or latch coupling. 15. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the mounting arrangement (8) comprises a first coupling portion (31) and the holder (6) comprises a second coupling portion (33) matching the first coupling portion (31), wherein the first coupling portion (31) and the second coupling portion (33), when coupled to one another, are part of the quick-release coupling (14).

16. The assembly (2) of claim 15, wherein the second coupling portion (33) is immobile relative to the holder (6),

17. The assembly (2) of claim 15 or 16, wherein the first coupling portion (31) is configured as a female coupling portion and the second coupling portion (33) is configured as a male coupling portion.

18. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 15 to 17 when depending on claim 2, wherein the deformable part (24) comprises the first coupling portion (31) or the first coupling portion (31) is fixedly attached relative to the deformable part (24).

19. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 15 to 18 when depending on claim 2, wherein the deformable part (24) and the first coupling portion (31) are arranged in parallel.

20. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 15 to 19 when depending on claim 2, wherein the deformable part (24) and the first coupling portion (31) are arranged in the form of a stack relative to a gravitational direction (56).

21. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 9 to 20, wherein the mounting arrangement (8) comprises a catch (36) configured to, in a first state, block a removal of the holder (6) from the mounting arrangement (8) and, in a second state, allow the removal of the holder (6) from the mounting arrangement (8).

22. The assembly (2) of claim 21, wherein the catch (36) is biased towards the first state. 23. The assembly (2) of claim 21 or 22, wherein the holder assembly (2) comprises a spring (38) configured to pretension the catch (36) towards the first state.

24. The assembly (2) of claim 23, wherein the catch (36) is carried by the spring (38).

25. The assembly (2) of claim 23 or 24 when depending on claim 15, wherein at least one end of the spring (38) is attached to the first coupling portion

(31).

26. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 21 to 25, wherein the catch (36) is configured to move from the second state to the first state upon coupling the holder (6) to the mounting arrangement (8).

27. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the mounting arrangement (8) comprises a manually moveable knob or slider (42) configured to, when being moved from a first position to a second position, move the catch (36) from the first state to the second state.

28. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the holder (6) fulfils at least one of the following criteria:

(i) it is configured to be sterilizable;

(ii) it consists of one or more immobile parts;

(iii) it consists of one or more mechanical parts and/or does not comprise an electronical component;

(iv) it is made from metal, for example from folded sheet metal.

29. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the holder (6) is configured to hold, as the container (4) of hygienic material, a dispenser of hygienic material or a collector of hygienic material.

30. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the hygienic material comprises one or more of disinfectant, soap, disposable gloves, hygienic wipes, hygienic masks, hygienic head coverings and syringes. 31. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the mounting arrangement (8) is configured to mount the holder (6) on a wall of a room or building, or on an object such as a table.

32. The assembly (2) of claim 31, comprising: a stand (44) fixedly attached relative to the mounting arrangement (8), wherein the mounting arrangement (8) is configured to mount the holder (6) on the table via the stand (44).

33. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 32, comprising: a collection pan (46) configured to collect hygienic material, taken from the container (4) removably held by the holder (6), when the hygienic material is not applied to a user.

34. The assembly (2) of claim 33, wherein the collection pan (46) is configured to collect at least one milliliter of a dispensed liquid, gel or foam.

35. The assembly (2) of claim 33 or 34, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure a weight of the hygienic material collected by the collection pan (46).

36. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the collection pan (46) is part of the holder (6) and the sensor arrangement (22) is configured to provide a measurement indicative of a combined weight of the holder (6), the container (4) and the hygienic material collected by the collection pan (46) when the holder (6) is holding the container (4).

37. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 36, wherein the mounting arrangement (8) comprises a repository (20) for a clinical instrument such as a stethoscope.

38. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 37, comprising: an acceleration sensor (58) configured to provide a signal indicative of an orientation of the mounting arrangement (8) relative to a gravitational direction (56).

39. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 38, comprising: one or more measurement electrodes (57) configured to measure a capacitive property of the container (4) when the holder (6) is holding the container (4).

40. The assembly (2) of claim 39, wherein the one or more measurement electrodes (27) are arranged on the holder (6).

41. The assembly (2) of claim 39 or 40, wherein the mounting arrangement (8) comprises an electrical interface configured to electrically contact the one or more measurement electrodes (27) when the holder (6) is coupled to the mounting arrangement (8).

42. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 41, comprising: a wakeup sensor (60) configured to detect a change of the amount of hygienic material held by the container (4) and/or detect an event indicative of an anticipated change of the amount of hygienic material held by the container (4).

43. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 42, comprising: a reading sensor (62) configured to read information from a data tag of the container (4) when the holder (6) is holding the container (4).

44. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 43, comprising: an energy harvesting arrangement (64) configured to provide one or more electrical components of the mounting assembly (8) with harvested electrical energy.

45. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 44, further comprising: an electrical interface for an upgrade module (48), the upgrade module (48) providing at least one of the following functionalities:

(i) measuring a distance to an object in the surroundings of the mounting assembly (8);

(ii) detecting a movement of a person in the surroundings of the mounting assembly (8);

(iii) providing a visual, a haptic and/or an auditory output to a user;

(iv) transmitting data from the mounting assembly (8) via a wireless connection (80) to one or more external entities (82);

(v) measuring one or more atmospheric parameters.

46. The assembly (2) of claim 45, further comprising: the upgrade module (48).

47. The assembly (2) of any one of claims 1 to 46, further comprising: a housing (66), wherein any electronical component of the mounting arrangement (8) is encased by the housing (66).

48. A method of determining at least one parameter related to a container (4) of hygienic material, the container (4) being removably held by a holder (6) of a holder assembly (2) comprising a sensor arrangement (22), the method comprising: obtaining (106) a measurement from the sensor arrangement (22) indicative of a combined weight of the holder (6) and the container (4) of hygienic material when the holder (6) is holding the container (4); and determining (114), based on the measurement, at least one parameter characterizing at least one of (i) the container (4), (ii) the hygienic material contained in the container (4) and (iii) a use of the container (4).

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the at least one parameter is selected from a presence of the container (4) in the holder (6), a filling state of the container (4), a type of the container (4), an actuation or use of the container (4), an amount of hygienic material contained by the container (4), and a type or property of the hygienic material contained by the container (4).

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the at least one parameter is selected from a filling state of the container (4) and an amount of hygienic material contained by the container (4), the method further comprising: comparing the determined filling state or amount of hygienic material with a previous filling state or amount of hygienic material to determine (116) a weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container (4) or that was put into the container (4).

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising: determining (118) whether the weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container (4) or that was put into the container (4) meets at least one predefined criterion. 52. The method of claim 51, wherein the at least one predefined criterion comprises a minimum weight of hygienic material to be taken from the container (4), and if the weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container does not correspond to or exceed the minimum weight (120), it is determined (122) that the container (4) is empty, dysfunctional or that the hygienic material is still held by the holder assembly (2).

53. The method of any one of claims 48 to 52, further comprising: obtaining (108) a signal indicative of an orientation of at least a part of the holder assembly (2) relative to a gravitational direction (56); and determining (114) the at least one parameter further based on the orientation.

54. The method of any one of claims 48 to 53, further comprising: obtaining (124) a signal indicative of a use of the container (4) of hygienic material; and determining, based on the signal indicative of the use of the container (4), a number of interactions of a user with the container (4).

55. The method of claim 54 when depending on claim 50, further comprising: dividing the determined weight of hygienic material that was taken from the container (4) by the number of interactions to determine an average weight of hygienic material taken from the container (4) per interaction; comparing the average weight with a predefined minimum average weight, and, if the average weight does not correspond to or exceed the predefined minimum average weight, it is determined (122) that the container (4) is empty, dysfunctional or that the hygienic material is still held by the holder assembly (2) and/or a number of unsuccessful interactions is determined (128).

56. The method of any one of claims 48 to 55 further comprising: obtaining (102) a signal indicative of a change of the amount of hygienic material held by the container (4) and/or an event indicative of an anticipated change of the amount of hygienic material held by the container (4); and in response to obtaining the signal, activating the sensor arrangement (22) to obtain (106) the measurement therefrom.

57. The method of any one of claims 48 to 56, further comprising: obtaining (110) a signal indicative of a capacitive property of the container (4) held by the holder (69; and determining (114), based on the capacitive property, the at least one parameter and/or a type or property of the hygienic material.

58. The method of any one of claims 48 to 57, further comprising: obtaining (112) a signal indicative of information read from a data tag of the container (4); and determining (114), based on the information read from the data tag, the at least one parameter and/or a type or property of the hygienic material.

59. The holder assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 47, further comprising: at least one processor (76) configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 48 to 58.

60. A monitoring system (68), comprising: at least one holder assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 47 or 59; and a processing system (70) communicatively coupled to the at least one holder assembly (2) and configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 48 to 58.

61. A mounting system for a container (4) of hygienic material, comprising: the holding assembly (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 47 or 59; and a plurality of the holders (6), differing from one another in a type and/or size of container (4) for which they are configured.

62. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one processor (72; 76), cause the at least one processor (72; 76) to perform the method according to any one of claims 48 to 58.

63. A carrier (74; 84) carrying the computer program of claim 62.