MOBILE DOSING SYSTEM

• US 20100132748A1
• Filed: 09/18/2009
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Henkel AG & Co KGaA
• Original Assignee: Henkel AG & Co KGaA
• Inventors: Cross, David, Paton, Michael, Kessler, Arnd, Fileccia, Salvatore
• Application Number:
  US12/562,541
• Publication Number:
  US 20100132748A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/93
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4454 with automatic identification means, e.g. barcodes, RFID tags or magnetic strips
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4463 Multi-dose dispensing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/30 Variation of electrical, magnetical or optical quantities
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/07 Consumable products, e.g. detergent, rinse aids or salt
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/024 mounted on the agitator or the rotating drum; Free body dispensers

Abstract

Mobile release and dosing system, particularly for preparations containing washing or cleaning agents, comprising at least one receptacle for receiving at least one first product capable of flow or dispersion, wherein the receptacle has at least one release opening which is arranged in such a way that a release of the product by gravity from the receptacle is effected in the operational position of the release system; a control apparatus which can be coupled with the release opening of the receptacle and which drives a dosing and release of at least the first flow or dispersion-capable product from the receptacle into the surrounding area. Said control apparatus comprises at least one sensor which detects physical and/or chemical properties and/or the material condition of the surrounding area of the sensor, measured either qualitatively or quantitatively; a control unit which transforms the signals of the sensor into at least one control signal usable for an actuator by means of at least one control program stored in the control unit; an actuator which transforms a control signal of the control unit into a different output quantity with which an object is moved or caused to move, wherein the actuator affects at least one dispenser directly or indirectly; at least one dispenser which is affected directly or indirectly by the actuator, wherein as a result of this influence, the opening and/or the closing of the release opening of the receptacle is effected; at least one energy source which supplies at least the control unit and the actuator with a suitable form of energy.

Claims

1. Mobile dispensing and dosing system comprising:

at least two containers for receiving flowable products which differ from one another, wherein the at least two containers each have a dispensing orifice arranged in such a way that a gravity-induced release of product from the respective container occurs in the operational position of the dispensing system,

wherein preparations which are not stable in storage with one another are supplied separately in the at least two containers,

wherein a dosing chamber is formed with at least one container before a dispensing orifice of the dosing system in the flow direction of the product,

wherein the amount of product which is to be freed into the environment on release of product from the at least one container is determined by the dosing chamber,

a control device able to be coupled to the dispensing orifices of the at least two containers, the control device controlling dosing and release of at least the first flowable or dispersible product from the containers into the environment, the control device having

at least one sensor able to detect physical and/or chemical properties and/or the material condition of its environment either qualitatively or quantitatively as a measured variable,

a control unit able to convert signals from the sensor by means of at least one control program stored in the control unit into at least one control signal which can be used for an actuator,

an actuator able to convert a control signal from the control unit into a different type of output variable with which an object is moved or with which movement of the object is induced, the actuator acting indirectly or directly on at least one dispenser, and

at least one energy source able to supply at least the control unit and the actuator with a suitable form of energy,

wherein the at least one dispenser and actuator are solenoid valves.

2. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the containers is configured to dispense fragrance into the environment.

3. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two containers are formed in one piece.

4. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two containers are formed in multiple pieces.

5. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 1, wherein the dosing chamber is constructed in one piece with the at least two containers.

6. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 1, wherein the dosing chamber is constructed in two or multiple pieces with the at least two containers.

7. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two containers further comprise a first container having a heat-sensitive product, the first container being surrounded at least in part by at least one further container at least partially filled with product(s), wherein the heat-sensitive product in the first container exhibits a slower rise in temperature when the environment is heated than the product(s) in the at least one further container.

8. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 7, wherein the product(s) in the at least one further container exhibit thermal conductivity of from 0.01 to 5 W/m*K.

9. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor is chosen from timers, temperature sensors, infrared sensors, brightness sensors, temperature sensors, movement sensors, expansion sensors, speed sensors, proximity sensors, flow sensors, color sensors, gas sensors, vibration sensors, pressure sensors, conductivity sensors, turbidity sensors, sound pressure sensors, “

lab-on-a-chip”

sensors, force sensors, acceleration sensors, gradient sensors, pH sensors, moisture sensors, magnetic field sensors, RFID sensors, magnetic field sensors, Hall-effect sensors, biochips, odor sensors, hydrogen sulfide sensors and/or MEMS sensors.

10. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 1, wherein the energy source is an electric energy source.

11. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further comprises a programmable microprocessor.

12. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 11, wherein the microprocessor comprises a plurality of dosing programs which can be selected and executed according to the container coupled to the dosing device.

13. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is coupled to the existing control unit of the domestic appliance.

14. Dispensing and dosing system according to claim 13, wherein the control unit is coupled wirelessly to the existing control unit of the domestic appliance.