FR2775578A1 - DISTRIBUTOR WITH CONTENT LEVEL ALARM - Google Patents

Abstract

A dispenser comprises a housing 1 containing at least one mobile element and one fixed element and for which each user intervention moves the mobile element relative to the fixed element to release a quantity of a product contained in the housing of the dispenser. distributor. It comprises means for counting the number of movements of the mobile element relative to the fixed element associated with means for transmitting a warning signal of the level of the content of the dispenser, when the number of counted movements reaches a predetermined value.

Description

1 2775578

  DISTRIBUTOR WITH CONTENT LEVEL ALARM

  The present invention relates to the field of distributors of the type including a housing which contains at least one mobile element and one fixed element and for which each intervention by the user moves the mobile element relative to the fixed element to release a quantity of a product contained in the dispenser housing. The hygiene sector is particularly concerned with such distributors for which the case contains, for example, a reservoir of liquid or powder, the movable element being a handle on which the user exerts support, to cause the displacement of said handle up to a fixed stop, this

  which releases a dose of liquid or powder contained (c) in said reservoir.

  Such dispensers are widely used to dispense sanitizing solutions or gels, liquid soap ... or other hand cleaning lotions, in the medical or paramedical field, in the food industry, in toilets, in hospitals , etc., dam toms the places where hygiene, in particular that of the hands, is necessary. In fact, it is estimated that around 10,000 the number of deaths per year in France is due to the spread of infectious germs in hospitals (so-called nosocomial diseases), 40% of which are caused by ailments carried out, mainly by the staff themselves. . The washing of mnams, which can be contaminated on contact with a sick person or a dirty device, must therefore be practiced systematically by doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, etc.

  For this purpose, lotion dislributors of the type described above are used.

  However, these devices have the disadvantage of not providing the user with information on the level of the content of the reserve, in particular when the latter

is empty or almost empty.

  In some distributors, the cover covering the rsevo has a vertical slot which makes it possible to visualize the height of the product inside a tank with urmsparnte or translucent walls, but does not make it possible to have a precise indication of the levels lower. In the latter case, the user does not know if he has received in his hands, that he may have even been previously rinsed or wet, a full dose of disinfectant or cleaning product. Furthermore, if he performs this gesture

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  mechanical several times or tens of times a day, it does not necessarily pay attention to the actual level of the tank. He can then deceptively believe his hands

  perfectly cleaned or disinfected, while impurities or germs remain.

  The problem to be solved is therefore to indicate in a sensitive manner to the user at the time when he actuates the handle of the dispenser that he has not received the dose p or that there are only a few doses available and also d '' inform the service

  maintenance that the tank must be recharged.

  The device should also be able to be used in the distributors where the mobile element is a coil, the fixed element comprising two flanges serving as support for said coil, on which is wound a strip of flexible material pulled by the user. to unwind said strip, for example of paper or other absorbent material, intended for wiping. The problem to be solved in this case is also to inform the user that there is only a short length of tape left.

  absorbent material, and also the service responsible for changing the reel.

  The device should preferably adapt to existing distributors, and be

  simple, inexpensive, efficient and reliable.

  This problem is solved by the dispenser according to the invention, comprising a housing containing at least one movable element and one fixed element and for which each intervention of the user moves the movable element relative to the fixed element to release a quantity of a product contained in the disriutecur housing, characterized in that it comprises means for counting the number of movements of the mobile element relative to the fixed element associated with means for transmitting a signal d content level warning when

  the number of trips counted reaches a predetermined value.

  Advantageously, the counting and transmitting means are: a sensor which detects each movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element, a micro-controlwur which totals the number of movements and generates a signal when the sum of these displacements reaches or exceeds a threshold value

predetermined.

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  Preferably, the sensor consists of a magnet and a reed switch

  flexible (LL.S.), respectively integral with the mobile element and the fixed element.

  The microcontroller is a chip which includes software managing all the logic of the circuit. It increments the number of movements and compares the sum of these movements for example with the total number of objects or theoretical doses contained in the tank. The generated signal can be triggered at each new

  displacement of the movable element, beyond the threshold value reached.

  This signal can advantageously be an audible signal. In this case, the signal emitted by the microcontroller is transmitted to a transducer, for example a piezoelectric element which transforms any signal received from the microcontroller into an acoustic signal. Preferably preferred, the dispenser housing encloses and serves as a support for a refillable reservoir containing a product. The movable element is then for example a handle on which the user presses to cause the displacement of said handle until a stop which constitutes the fixed element, which hlère a quantity of the product contained dams said tank. The said product can be an obj a

liquid or powder.

  The device according to the invention therefore emits a signal warning the user that the reservoir is empty or almost empty, that is to say allowing the person who actuates the handle of his mechanical and unconscious mmipulaon to come out so that he

  realize that the dose delivered will be missing or incomplete.

  Advantageously, the sensor can also be sensitive to the duration of the abutment support on the handle. For example, a brave pressure on the handle can respond to a "request" from the user who wishes to obtain an object or a dose of product, and prolonged pressure to reset the counting device, when replacing or filling the tank by entreticen personnel Such a device, comprising counting and emission means, can thus be adapted to existing dispensers without major modification, i can be entirely carried by the box and therefore completely independent of the refillable tank. can in particular be adapted without difficulty to dispensers fitted with a reservoir forming part of a liquid product cartridge terminated, in its lower part, by a flexible end piece, inserted between the handle and the stop, on which

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  presses the user through the handle to release a dose of liquid. The device according to the invention can also advantageously be adapted to hand-held dispensers made of paper or divisible fabric, packaged in a roll, which are often present alongside dispensers of cleaning products of the house. In this type of dispenser, the housing contains a coil on which is wound a strip of absorbent material, for example paper or

fractiomnnable tissue.

  The fixed element comprises two flanges serving as support for said coil, which therefore constitutes the mobile element. The user pulls on the strip to cause the rotational movement of the coil relative to said flanges, by unwinding said strip. Preferably, the flexible reed switch and the magnet are respectively secured to one of the flanges and to the end of the core located at

near the said flange.

  Advantageously, the flexible material is paper or a material

absorbent, intended for wiping.

  Other characteristics and advantages emerge from the following description of

  two embodiments given by way of nonlimiting examples, and shown in the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is an overall view, in section, of a liquid dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention, - Figure 2 is a top view, in section along AA, of the distit according to Figure 1, at rest, - Figure 3 is a top view, in section along AA, of the distributor according to Figure 1, in the activated position, - Figures 4a, 4b and Sa, 5b show, with a view to three quarters, a second embodiment of the invention, according to two variants (respectively Figures 4 and Figures 5), - Figure 6 is a diagram of the electronic circuit used in the distributors

according to Figures 1 to 5.

  s 2775578 First embodiment: In FIG. 1 is diagrammed a liquid dispenser, according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This dispenser comprises a vertical housing I made of plastic material, fixed to a wall or a wall 2, the upper part of which, in the shape of an L in FIG. 1, serves as a support for a cartridge 3 (shown in dotted lines). said cartridge 3 consists of a reservoir 4 in which the product is located here in the form of liquid, which flows, under the action of gravity, towards the neck 5, extended, in its lower part, by a nozzle 6 flexible, the lower end 7 of which corresponds to an orifice 8 in the lower part of the housing 1. The flexible end piece 6 is inserted between a pusher 9 fixed on the concave inner face of a handle 10 and a stop 11 constituted here by '' a kind of fork 12, terminated towards the rear by two reinforcement legs 13a and 13b, coming to rest on the

  wall 2 when the box 1 is hung on it, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

  A cover 15 fixed to the housing 1 for example by clips, covers and hides the

tank 4.

  A hinge 14, located at the lower front end of the ^ L "of the housing 1

  allows the articulation of the handle 10 relative to the housing 1.

  When the user of the dispenser presses on the said handle 10 in the direction of the arrow tf the pusher 9 solidairo of the handle 10 presses and compresses the flexible nozzle 6 of the cartridge 3 of liquid, in abutment against the central vertical wall 12a of the fork 12 (see Figure 3). This compression makes it possible to expel a dose of liquid downwards, through the lower end 7 of the nozzle 6 and the orifice 8 of the

housing 1.

  According to the invention, a magnet 20 is placed inside the pusher 9, near its rear end 9a, and an electronic board 21 is arranged in the free space 22 located between the two reinforcement tabs 13a and 13b, near the central vertical wall 12a. This electronic circuit board 21 contains a flexible reed switch (LL.S.) which changes state each time the magnet 20 approaches it at a suimnt short distance. This distance d is close to the sum of the thicknesses of the central vertical wall 12a of the fork, the thicknesses of the

  walls of the nozzle 6 of the cartridge 3, and of the wall of the posterior end 9a.

It can vary between 0.5 and 5 cm

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  The electronic circuit board 21 is equipped with a microcontroller which adds the number of changes of state of the relay and compares this sum with a preprogram threshold value corresponding to the total number of theoretical doses contained in the reservoir 4. When the threshold value is reached or exceeded, the microcontroller generates a signal transmitted to a transducer 22 which is associated with it (or placed elsewhere on said housing 1 of the distributor, or even outside the distributor). The transducer here is a piezoelectric element. The signal emitted is an audible signal which indicates to the user, when he presses the handle 10, that the reservoir 4 is empty or almost empty, and therefore that he will not receive any dose of product or a

read incomplete dose.

  Said signal can also be transmitted, via an electrical circuit, to the

  permsnel in charge of distributor maintenance.

  The diagram of the electronic circuit used is shown in Figure 6.

  The electronic circuit board 21 is equipped with a C / 1 microcontroller of the PIC 12C508 type which is on the one hand connected to a quartz Q1 and capacitors C1 and C2 making it possible to adapt the impedance for the oscillator of the micro- controller, connected to the magnetic reed switch (ILS) magnetic detection relay, and on the other hand to a piezoelectric transducer BZ1 which it controls, for the generation of the sound signals. The circuit further comprises a silicon diode D1, capacitors Cl, C2, C3 and a resistor R1 of 100 k Ohm. A BT1 battery (or battery) can power

  the circuit (VDD not shown in the diagram).

  When replacing the cartridge 3, the cover 15 is separated from the housing 1 and the cartridge (reservoir 4 with its tip 6) is removed. The pusher 9, integral with the

  handle 10, tilts and comes into direct contact with the vertical wall 12a of the stop.

  This approximation brings the magnet 20 into contact with the relay of the electronic circuit board, for a period longer than a "normal" press (for delivery of a dose of

  product), which resets the chip.

  The power supply of the device can for example come from batteries

  the housing of which is provided in the housing 1.

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  The dispenser presented in this example relates to the dispensing of doses of product 8 in liquid or gel form, but the dispenser according to the invention also applies to dispensers of powder, or even of objects delivered to the unit by reconciliation and / or support of a control means on a stop, such as by

  For example, in the field of hygiene, "hand towel" papers or wipes.

  As presented in the introductory part of this description, the device

  according to the invention is particularly useful in hospitals, in treatment rooms, toilets, laboratories ..., and can be used in all types of industries where the user needs to be informed of the level of the contents of the tank , when unit doses of product (or single items) are delivered, such as the food, chemical, biological industries, etc. Second embodiment: In FIGS. 4 and 5, two variants of a second embodiment are shown schematically.

realization of the invention.

  In this embodiment, the dispenser comprises a housing 1, of which only the rear face 30 is shown here, fixed to a wall or a wall 2. On this face 30 are joined two flanges 31 and 32 parallel and of the same height which serve at

  both horizontal support and rotational guide of a coil 33.

  The coil 33, positioned between the two flanges 31 and 32, has a cylindrical core 34 suw which is wound a strip 35 of paper or absorbent fabric. According to a first variant of this embodiment (Figure 4), the core 34 can be made of solid material (see fig. 4a) and have an axial protuberance 36 at each of its two ends which is housed in a slot

  corresponding 37 provided in each of the flanges 31 and 32.

  As shown in FIG. 4b, the core can also be provided with two end discs 38 making it possible to hold the absorbent material between them.

  strip shape 35 wound on the cylindrical core 34.

  In these two cases (FIGS. 4a and 4b) according to the invention, the magnet 20 is placed at one of the ends of the core 34, on the flat lateral face (FIG. 4a) or on the surface of one of the side discs 38. The electronic circuit board 21 containing a reed switch

  flexible is disposed nearby on the outer face of the corresponding flange 31, 32.

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  According to a second variant of this second embodiment of the invention, the cylinder constituting the core 34 of the coil 33 is hollow, over its entire length, or over a few centimeters at each of its ends. The internal dianmeter of the core, at its ends corresponds, apart from play, to two circular protrusions 39 placed on the internal faces opposite the two flanges 31, 32 making it possible to wedge in translation the core 34 of the coil 33. In this case, the magnet 20 is preferably placed inside the hollow cylinder forming the core 34, near one of the ends (see FIG. 5b), the LLS relay. being positioned on the outer face of the flange 32 conesp t, as the variant

previous (Figure 4a).

  For these two variants, the electronic circuit can be identical to that

  shown in Figure 6 and described above.

  When the user wishes for example to wipe his hands, he will pull on the strip 35 of absorbent material, causing the rotation of the reel 33, therefore of the core 34 around its axis. At each revolution, the magnet 20 positioned on the lateral face of the core 34 will alternately move away from the switch 21, then approach it by causing a change of state of this relay. The associated microcontroller will increment each turn and cause the triggering of a signal when the total number of turns will reach the predetermined threshold value corresponding to the total length of the strip 35 of absorbent material. Such a device can be adapted to any absorbent material dispenser, by

  example of the hand towel or toilet paper type.

  It can also be used, in addition to hygiene, in any type of industry where the user can be warned, thanks to the audible or visual signal, of the approach of the end of the strip wound on the reel, thus allowing its

quick replacement.

  One of the main advantages of the device according to the invention comprising the counting means, and the means for transmitting a signal, is that it can be inserted without problem inside the same housing of existing distributors. It is thus

  more protected from untimely handling, especially if the case is locked.

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  In the liquid dispenser presented in one of the examples above, the

  two means (counting and emission) are even independent of the tank, that is to say

  say that they can stay in the interior of the case.

2775578

Claims (14)

  1. Distributor co-housing a housing (1) containing at least one movable element and a fixed element and for which each intervention of the user moves the movable element relative to the fixed element to release a quantity of a product contained in the dispenser housing, characterized in that it comprises means for counting the number of movements of the movable element relative to the fixed element associated with means for transmitting a warning signal of the level of the content of the distributor, when the number of trips counted reaches mune o predetermined value.   2. Dispenser according to rcvndication 1, characterized in that the counting and transmission means are: a sensor which detects each movement of the movable element relative to the fixed element, 15. u microcontroller which totals ble number of trips and generates a signal when the sum of these trips reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold value. 3. Dispenser according to claim 2, characterized in that the captcur is   composed of a magnet and an interumptor with flexible blades.   4. Distributor according to claim 3, characterized in that the magnet and the flexible reed switch are respectively secured to the movable element and of the fixed element.   5. Distributor according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the signal emitted by the microcontroller is transmitted to a transducer.   6. Distributor according to claim 5, characterized in that the transducer is a piezoelectric element which transforms any signal received from the microcontroller as an acoustic signal.   7. Dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the   housing serves as support for a refillable reservoir (4), the mobile element being a handle 2775578 (10) on which the user presses to cause the displacement (f) of said handle (10) up to a stop ( 11) which constitutes the fixed element, which frees   a quantity of the product contained in said reservoir (4).   8. Dispenser according to claim 7, characterized in that the product contained in the reservoir (4) is an object. 9. I) isa-ributor according to claim 7, characterized in that the product   contained in the reservoir is a dose of liquid or powder.   10. Dispenser according to claim 9, characterized in that the reservoir (4) containing liquid is part of a cartridge (3) the lower part of which is terminated by a flexible end piece (6), inserted between the handle (10) and the stop (11), on which the user presses by means of the handle (10), to release a single dose of liquid.   11. Distributor according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized   in that the sensor is also sensitive to the duration of the support on the handle (10).   12. Dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized   in that the movable element is a coil, the fixed element comprising two flanges serving as a support for said coil on the core of which is wound a strip of flexible material pulled by the user to cause displacement in rotation of the   reel with respect to said flanges, by unrolling said strip.   13. Distributor according to claim 12, characterized in that the flexible reed switch and the magnet are respectively secured to one of the flanges and   the end of the core located near the said flange.   14. Distributor according to any one of claims 12 or 13   characterized in that the flexible material is paper or an absorbent material, intended for wiping.