Patent Publication Number: US-10779663-B2

Title: Dispenser for supports to be impregnated with an odour

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a § 371 national stage entry of International Application No. PCT/EP2016/057901, filed Apr. 11, 2016, which claims priority to French Patent Application No. 1553190, filed Apr. 13, 2015, and French Patent Application No. 1502687, filed Dec. 23, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     The scope of the invention is that of a perfume, an aroma, a bouquet, a scent, a fragrance, an odour being selected by a person, with the aim of purchasing a small bottle or a bottle of perfume, eau de toilette, a tube or a box of cosmetic cream, or even a culinary dish or a drink. This selection is generally made, concerning perfumery products, using supports called “strips”, or “rollers”, made from paper, tissue, or other similar material. The selection of a perfume is often made using small presentation bottles and strips. A person sprays a bit of perfume from a small bottle to impregnate a strip with it, that they will then sniff. 
     This selection method has several disadvantages. The selection supports are commonly stored in a glass or container, not very suitable, as could be knocked over, and the strips are left there with no protection. The small selection bottles used can be used excessively, and the result of this a high consumption, a need for a regular resupply and an overloading of space. And in particular, it can prove to be difficult, after several selections of different perfumes, to truly identify the perfumes tested on the different strips used. 
     There are already machines which enable at least some of these problems to be avoided. For example, the document US2002/0020717 defines one of them, which enables a dose of perfume to be dispensed onto a test strip which is inserted manually into an opening of the machine, then removed. The machine contains a pump with a spray nozzle, whereon a control arm, actuated by a strip support plate, is pressed to bring about the spraying on the strip when this and its support plate are pushed in the machine. This machine enables the small selection bottles to be managed more easily and enables an overconsumption of perfume to be avoided in particular because a lock, which released only if a strip is inserted in the machine, prevents spraying in the event where the strip support plate is pushed without a strip being delivered there. An advantage is that this machine is simply actuated by the user when they push the strip and its support in the machine. But it requires the delivery of strips outside of the machine, which does not solve the problem of storing and presenting said strips, nor that of identifying the strips after several selections of different perfumes. 
     The document U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,620 defines another equipment enabling to dispense the strips impregnated with perfume. This equipment comprises a case containing a stock of strips which can be supplied one by one by means of a drive system, actuated by an external handle, which delivers the strip through a slot in the case. Furthermore, the actuation of the handle brings about, by the intermediary of a rack-and-pinion system acting on a perfume dispensing pump, the spraying of the perfume on the strip before this cannot be removed from the case by the user. This equipment therefore ensures the storage and preservation of selection strips before they are used, and also avoids an excessive consumption of perfume. But its use requires a handling of the handle. Furthermore, except for previously individualising the strips for each dispensing equipment, which highly complicates their management, the identification problem after several selections of different perfumes persists, insofar as nothing enables the strips to be distinguished after they have been removed from the different equipment used. 
     This invention aims to solve the problems mentioned above, and aims in particular to enable a dispensing of selection supports, without the user needing to handle a handle or other control body. It also aims to enable a significant storage capacity for selection supports, avoiding the need for frequent replenishment. The machine according to the invention must also enable a direct identification of the perfume used, enabling a replacement of the small bottle and a refilling of the supports. It must be easily accessible visually on a table, shelf displays, walls, columns or any other means which could contain it or support it, enabling a selection bar or piano to be created, for example, while protecting the small bottles presented. By avoiding excessive uses of perfume, it also aims to save on small selection bottles. 
     Thus, the invention aims for a machine for dispensing support means intended to be impregnated with at least one odour to be selected, comprising means for storing the support means, means for dispensing the support means and delivery to a person, means for receiving means for emanating odour, means for impregnating the odour support means to be selected, 
     characterised by the fact that the dispensing and delivery means comprise matching means i) of the impregnated support means and ii) of the odour to be selected. 
     Advantageously, the means for the emanating odour to be selected comprise a small selection perfume bottle or a plurality of these small bottles and the support means intended to be impregnated with the odour comprise a plurality of individual strips or a large strip pre-cut into strips or strip sections to be detached from each other. 
     Preferably, the means for matching the support means and odours to be selected comprise means for marking the support means and the impregnation means are arranged to be actuated automatically or mechanically. 
     Thus, the machine according to the invention enables to ensure a sustainable identification, by matching the strip and the odour impregnated on it. 
     According to a preferable provision, the marking means comprise embossing means. The marking could also be obtained by printing, for example, an ink print, but marking by embossing, in other words, a simple print of an elevation, enables avoiding the use of printing inks on the strip, in particular if the bands are made from a porous material such as absorbent paper, for example. 
     According to another specific provision, the marking means comprise a set of two marking rollers between which the strip passes during dispensing. The marking is made therefore just before the strip is made available to the user, when they retrieve the strip from the machine. 
     According to a preferable provision, the machine comprises an integrated small bottle support, to place a small perfume bottle to be tested there, and the impregnation means comprise a pump connected, on the one hand, to the small bottle and, on the other hand, to a spraying nozzle located on the trajectory of the strips between the storage means and the marking means. Preferably still, the pump is actuated by a lever connected to the strip dispensing means, so as to ensure one single spray on each strip, before the strip impregnated with perfume passes into the marking means and is retrieved from the machine. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, which does not require any external energy source, nor any mechanical control means, such as, for example, the handle of the prior system defined previously, the dispensing means comprise drive pulleys arranged to be driven by a dispensed strip when the strip is retrieved manually from the machine, the drive pulleys being connected to a drive mechanism arranged to bring the strips retrieved one by one from the means for storing strips up into the marking roller grip. 
     Preferably, the drive pulleys are connected in rotation to the marking rollers, for example, by being assembled on the same rotating shafts, and the two shafts, each one holding two drive pulleys surrounding a marking roller, are connected in rotation in the opposite direction, by sprockets, also assembled on said shafts. When the strip is retrieved from the machine, by the traction exerted on it by the user, a simultaneous and synchronised drive is thus ensured of the rollers and marking rollers, guaranteeing the quality of the embossing. 
     According to a further provision, the drive mechanism comprises:
         transportation bodies arranged so as to retrieve a strip located against a bottom of the storage means by friction, and to transport this strip up into the marking means grip and   an alternative drive mechanism to drive the transportation bodies alternatively:   in a first phase, by the drive pulleys when these are driven in rotation by retrieving a strip,   in a second phase, by energy storage means arranged to store energy during the first phase.       

     In particular, the energy storage means can comprise a spring acting on a rack meshing with the sprockets connected to the transportation bodies in a temporarily separable way, enabling the storage of energy to be ensured in the first phase and the return of energy in the second phase, while ensuring the movement of the transportation bodies in the same direction during these two phases. 
     According to other further provisions:
         the machine comprises a control case connected to the detection means for detecting the replacement of a small bottle, to the means for counting the actuation number of the impregnation means and to the means for detecting the presence of strips in the storage means, the control case moreover comprising indication means, and   means for detecting the small bottle replacement comprise electric contact means held by the small bottle support and connected to the control case.       

     These detection and control means enable to indicate when the small bottle must be replaced and when the stock of strips must be replenished. In particular, this system can be based on a reset when the small bottle is replaced and/or when a batch of strips is replaced in the container, and the indication being activated after a certain number of uses, in other words, strips used and sprays carried out, this number being predetermined according to the number of strips which could be contained in the container and the volume of perfume contained in the small bottle. 
     According to other provisions still, the machine comprises a closed case, inside which the strip storage means, the dispensing means, the small bottle support means and the impregnation means are located, the case comprising one single opening for communicating with the outside, constituted by a slot arranged in a wall of the case opposite the marking means, to enable the passage of dispensed strips. Thus, in the point of sale, the end of the strip that the user can grip to test the perfume contained in the small bottle is only accessible by the slot, without the small perfume bottle itself or the stock of test strips being directly accessible. 
     Furthermore, the perfume contained in the machine can advantageously be identified, in an attractive way, by a small perfume selection bottle presented in a window on top of the case, enabling to showcase the product tested. This window will advantageously be integrated in a regular volume of the case, for example, of cubic form, the whole machine thus having regular forms adapted to display stands or shelves. 
     Generally, the machine according to the invention enables to ensure the management of a stock of testers and their automatic dispensing, the management of the impregnation and the printing of a mark enabling to identify the perfume tested. 
    
    
     
       Other characteristics and advantages will appear in the description which will be made of a dispenser that conforms with the invention, as well as its functioning, in reference to the appended drawings, whereon: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the machine that conforms with the invention, in a situation of use; 
         FIG. 2  is a similar view, showing the separate window of the main case; 
         FIG. 3  is a view of the whole of the inside of the machine, after depositing the lid; 
         FIG. 4  is a similar view, wherein the small perfume bottle, the stock of strips and the electric control case have been removed; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view, from below, of only the small bottle support; 
         FIG. 6  is a similar view to that in  FIG. 4 , where the small bottle support has been removed, and the electric control case is repositioned; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the machine in the same state as in  FIG. 6 , but seen from another angle; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of the machine, showing all its internal bodies, without the lid or the bottom of the box; 
         FIG. 9  is another view, from another angle and the stock of strips being removed; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of the machine in the same state as in  FIG. 8 , but seen from another angle, 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view, from below, of only the stock of strips; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view, from below and cross-section, of only the stock of strips, showing the batch of strips located inside; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of only the drive mechanism; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of only the drive mechanism, according to another view angle; 
         FIGS. 15 to 17  only illustrate the drive mechanism, in three different phases of supplying strips. 
     
    
    
     The dispenser  100 , such as represented in  FIG. 1 , comprises a case  1  in a general cubic or parallelepipedic form, for example, around 150 to 200 mm on the side. This case comprises a bottom  11  serving as a frame for supporting the different subassemblies and functional bodies of the machine  100 . It ensures the positioning of the different mechanisms inside the dispenser  100 , while guaranteeing its placement, in particular on perfumery displays. The dispenser comprises a lid  12 , here made from an opaque plastic material, which conceals the internal mechanism and isolates it from users, while ensuring the aesthetic part of the dispenser  100 . An angle of the cube is occupied by a window  13  made from transparent material enabling to view the product to be selected and to be tested, here a small perfume bottle  14 , to showcase it. The window is held on the lid by a tab  131  which can be locked on the lid by insertion into a slot  121  of it. 
     Inside the case  1 , a spraying unit  2  comprising a small bottle support  21 , connected to a perfume spraying pump  3 , a strip storage container  4 , a dispensing mechanism  6  and an electric control case  9  are arranged. 
     The small bottle support  21  comprises a base  22 , provided with a level  23  comprising a vertical notch  231 . A top flange  24  is slid onto the level and holds a lock  241  which cooperates with the notches of the level. This arrangement is provided so that the flange  24  can permanently press onto a connector  25  arranged to be adapted on the small bottle  20  containing the test perfume, and whereon is connected, moreover, a first suction tube  26 , itself connected to the pump  3 , of which the actuation will be defined below. The pump  3  is moreover connected by a second tube  27  to a spraying nozzle  28  attached onto the frame  61  of the dispensing mechanism  6 . 
     The connector  25  is indeed similar to a closing and spraying cap, adaptable on a common small bottle, whereon the tube  26  is connected and whereon it is placed on the conventional nozzle of the small bottle, after it is replaced. The locking of the top flange  24  enables to hold the small bottle surrounded between the base  22  and the flange  24 , by also holding the pressed connector, in a position adapted for enabling the passage of the perfume from the small bottle  20  up to the pump  3 . 
     The base  22  moreover holds a magnet  221  on its bottom face, provided to ensure the holding of the base on the bottom  11  of the case, and a contact tongue  222  arranged to ensure an electric connection between two contact strips  91  extending over the bottom  11  and connected to the electric case  9 , when the small bottle support  21  and said electric case are in place. This system enables to supply a signal to the electric case  9 , when the small bottle support  21  is repositioned on the bottom  11  of the case, after a replacement of the small bottle  20  held by this support. 
     The container  4  for storing strips, represented in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , is typically adapted for containing, for example, 200 strips  40 , having a format of 82×28 mm, for example. It comprises a container body  41  closed on its bottom part by a bottom wall  42  comprising a retrieval cut-out  421  and arranging in a front wall  411  a retrieval window  412  just above the bottom wall. The bottom wall is sliding to enable access to the inside of the container, to refill it with a batch of new strips. A pressure plate  43  is assembled sliding into the container, pressed towards the bottom by the springs  44  to press the batch of strips towards the bottom wall, and holds the lateral tabs  431 ,  432  guided into the vertical windows  415 ,  416  arranged in the lateral walls  417  of the body. One of these tabs  431  is intended to actuate a contactor  92  when the pressure plate  43  gets to the end of the bottom run, to thus indicate that there are no more than a few strips left, and that the container must be refilled. 
     The container  4  is held attached by clipping onto the frame  61  of the dispenser mechanism  6 , in a position determined to enable the retrieval of strips by the dispenser mechanism, as will now be seen. 
     The dispenser mechanism  6  here comprises, held by this frame  61 , a matching unit, here a printing unit,  62  constituted by two embossing rollers with parallel axes, comprising a top roller  621  and a bottom roller  622 , which hold the print of the mark to be printed, elevated on the strips. The rollers are respectively assembled on a top drive shaft  623  and a bottom drive shaft  624  with which they are connected in rotation, for example, by keying. The centre of the rollers  621 ,  622 , and therefore these shafts  623 ,  624 , is predetermined, according to the diameter of the rollers and the thickness of the strips  40 , to form a grip  620  between the rollers specific to ensure the elevated printing, or embossing, of the strips when they pass between the rollers  621 ,  622 . 
     The bottom and top drive shafts are assembled rotating in the levels arranged on the lateral flanges  611 ,  612  of the frame  61 , the distance between the flanges being slightly more than the width of the strips  40 . On each side, axially, each one of these rollers, between the rollers and the flanges, are assembled the drive pulleys  625 ,  626 , also connected in rotation with the bottom and top transmission shafts and specific to ensure the rotating drive of these shafts by friction with a strip when such a strip located in the grip  620  between the rollers and the pulleys, is retrieved from the dispenser  100 , as will be seen below. It will be noted that it is the rotating drive of the pulleys  625 ,  626 , by friction with the strip  40  which ensures the rotation of the drive shafts  623 ,  624  and therefore the rollers  621 ,  622 , which avoids any inappropriate sliding, which could take place between the strip and the rollers, and which would be damaging to the printing carried out on the strips. 
     The two bottom and top drive shafts are further connected in rotation, in opposite directions, by a set of synchronising sprockets  627 ,  628 , also assembled connected in rotation on one of the ends of said shafts, which enables to ensure a perfect synchronisation between the embossing rollers, and therefore to guarantee the quality of the printing carried out on the strips. 
     On the opposite side to the synchronisation wheels  627 ,  628 , a roller  629  is assembled on the end of the top drive shaft  623 , to enable the manual driving of the rollers during the first commissioning, or in the event where the strip would no longer have been supplied from the container, to insert a strip between the rollers. 
     The bottom drive shaft  624  also holds, on the opposite side of the synchronisation pulleys  625 ,  626 , a notched pulley  631  connected by a first notched belt  63  to a second notched pulley  632  of the same diameter, held by a front transmission shaft  64  assembled in rotation on the frame  61  at the back of the printing unit  62 . The front transmission shaft  64  is driven in synchronisation with the rollers  621 ,  622  and the pulleys  625 ,  626 . 
     The front transmission shaft  64  holds, centred between the two frame flanges, a front notched pulley  641 , connected in rotation with said shaft  64  and whereon a second notched belt passes  65  ensuring the connection with a rear notched pulley  651  assembled connected in rotation on a rear shaft  66  called an impregnation shaft. 
     The second notched belt  65  also serves to retrieve the strips  40  from the container  4  by friction. To this end, the second belt  65  is arranged so that its rear part extends under the container  4 , so that its top strand  651  is moved in the retrieval cut-out  421  formed in the bottom sliding wall  42 , along this cut-out, and the bottom strip from the stack of strips presses on this strand, to be driven outside of the container when the second belt  65  moves. 
     The front notched pulley  641  and the rear notched pulley  651  have the same diameter, determined so that the diameter measured on the external face of the second notched belt  65 , to the right of one of the notched pulleys, is equal to or slightly larger than that of the rollers  621 ,  622  and of the pulleys  625 ,  626 , so as to ensure the supply of a strip in the grip  620  of the rollers each time the wheels and rollers turn. 
     The impregnation shaft  66  holds a handle  661  at one end, driving a crank  662  connected to a pivoting lever  663  which actuates the pump  3 . Thus, each time the impregnation shaft  66  turns, the pump  3  sends a small quantity of perfume to the spraying nozzle  28 . Furthermore, the handle  661  actuates a contactor  93  on each turn. 
     The impregnation shaft  66  also holds, on its end opposite to the handle  661 , a first pinion  665  which meshes with a second pinion  671  held by a secondary shaft  67  which also holds a rear sprocket  672 . The rear sprocket  672  is assembled on the secondary shaft  67  by the intermediary of a free wheel system  673 , ensuring a connection in rotation between the rear sprocket and the secondary shaft in one single rotating direction. Moreover, the rear sprocket  672  meshes with a rack  68  which extends longitudinally over the side of the frame  61  and which is pulled back towards the front of the device by a spring  681 . 
     The transmission shaft holds, on its end opposite to the notched pulley  632 , a partial sprocket  642 , of the same pitch diameter as the rear sprocket  672 , which could also mesh with the rack  68 . The gearing of the partial sprocket  642  extends over around half of its circumference and is arranged to mesh with the rack  68  over only a half-turn. 
     The contactors  92  and  93  are connected to the electric case  9 . The electric case  9  moreover comprises a small calculator supplied on an internal battery arranged to determine the volume of perfume remaining in the small bottle  220  according to the number of pushes sent by the sensor  93  from the contact established between two contact strips  91  by the contact tongue  222 , and according to the volume of the small bottle  20  and the quantity of perfume dispensed by each actuation of the pump  3 , and to indicate the need to replace the small bottle  20 , by means of an indicator light  94  that can be seen at the front of the case  1 . The indicator light  94  also indicates the need to replace the container with strips  4 , in response to the signal supplied by the contactor  92 . 
     The presence of a slot  15  located just opposite the grip  620  between the rollers  621 ,  622  on the front of the case  1  will also be noted, for the passage of the strips  20 . 
     The functioning of the dispenser  100  will now be defined. 
     In rest mode, the internal mechanism of the dispenser  100  is found in the location illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a strip  40   a  being in the grip of the rollers  621 ,  622  as represented in  FIG. 15 , its end emerging from the case through the slot  15 . 
     A user can thus grip this strip and pull it to them, according to the arrow F 1  in  FIG. 15 . By friction with the wheels, the traction of the strip drives the pulleys  625 ,  626  in rotation, which also drives the shafts  623 , 624  and the embossing rollers  621 ,  622 . The pattern to be printed is located on the rollers, so that it is printed on the section of strip still gripped between the rollers  621 ,  622  during this traction. 
     It will be noted that the length of the strips  40  relates to the diameter of the rollers and wheels, substantially equal to or slightly less than their circumference, and to ensure that the traction on the strip  40   a  rotates the wheels and therefore the bottom drive shaft  624  in one half-turn. 
     Simultaneously, the rotation of the wheels leads to a corresponding rotation:
         of the front transmission shaft  64 , by the pulley  631 , the belt  63  and the pulley  632 , and of the impregnation shaft  66 ;   of the impregnation shaft  66 , by the pulley  641 , the belt  65 , and the pulley  651 ; and   of the handle  661  assembled on the impregnation shaft  66 .       

     In its movement, the belt  63  drives another strip  40   b  by friction, that is retrieves from the container  4  through the retrieval window  412  and drives towards the printing unit  62 , until the front part of this strip  40   b  is located under the spraying nozzle  28 , as represented in  FIG. 16 . Simultaneously, the handle  661  brings about the pivoting of the lever  663  by the intermediary of the crank  662  and actuates the pump  3  which thus sends a small quantity of perfume through the tube  27  up to the spraying nozzle  28  which projects the perfume onto the strip  40   b.    
     Simultaneously, the partial sprocket  642  meshes with the rack and moves it towards the back, according to the arrow F 2 , bringing about the tensioning of the spring  681 , as can also be seen in  FIG. 16 . It will be noted that the sliding of the rack drives the rotation of the rear sprocket  672  by meshing, which freely turns on the secondary shaft  67  because of the free wheel  673 . This enables the impregnation shaft  66  to turn in the direction forced by the belt  65 , by driving, by the pinion  665 , the pinion  671  and the secondary shaft  67  in the opposite direction of the rear sprocket  672 . 
     Having arrived in the position represented in  FIG. 16 , after a half-turn of all the aforementioned shafts, pulleys and sprockets, and the strip  40   a  being totally retrieved and available for the user, the partial sprocket  642  is found disengaged from the rack, which is thus pulled back towards the front by the spring  681 , according to the arrow F 3  in  FIG. 17 . In doing so, the rack drives the rear sprocket  672  in the opposite direction of its rotation in the preceding phase, thus engaging the free wheel  673  and consequently driving the secondary shaft  67  and the impregnation shaft  66 . It will be noted that, the impregnation shaft turns in the same direction as in the preceding phase, because of the change in rotating direction brought about by the meshing of the pinions  671 ,  665 . The force exerted by the spring  681  on the rack is thus conveyed by the continued rotating of the impregnation shaft  66  which drives the scrolling of the belt  65 , the rotation of the front transmission shaft  64 , and the drive shafts  623 ,  624 , and therefore the pulleys  625 ,  626  and the rollers  621 ,  622 , enabling the strip  40   b  to be inserted between the rollers and start to be driven by the wheels. 
     Simultaneously, the belt  65  starts to retrieve a new strip  40   c  from the container  4 , and the handle continues its rotation to bring about the suction by the pump  3  of a new dose of perfume retrieved from the small bottle  20 . 
     It will be noted that, during this second phase, illustrated by  FIG. 17 , the partial sprocket  642  is still rotated in the same direction by the transmission shaft  64 , but does not interfere with the sliding of the rack in the opposite direction, because there is thus no longer any meshing between the rack  68  and said wheel  642 . 
     In this second phase, after the user has removed the strip  40   a , the dispensing mechanism thus functions autonomously, only by the energy stored by the spring  681  during the first phase. All the dispensing mechanisms therefore require no external energy source, the only energy necessary for these mechanisms being in fact supplied by the user when they retrieve the strip from the dispenser  100 . 
     At the end of the second phase, the spring  681  has brought the rack into its initial position, and all the mobile elements are found in the location in  FIG. 15 , the new strip  40   b  thus being ready to be gripped by a user. 
     It will again be noted that, during its rotation, the handle  661  will have caused a press on the contactor  93 , thus sending a signal to count the number of uses to the electric case&#39;s calculator. 
     The invention is not limited to the embodiment which has been defined above, only as an example. In particular, the system of sprockets, partial to ensure the disconnection between the wheel  642  and the rack  68  during the second functioning phase could be replaced by any other disengageable connecting means enabling the disengagement of the front transmission shaft  64  from the rack when it arrives at the end of the run towards the rear  10  and during the second functioning phase. 
     Also, while keeping the strip retrieval device outside of the container, the spraying device and the marking rollers, an electric motor could be provided to drive these systems. The elevated printing by embossing could also be replaced by other printing methods. Lighting or holographic means can also be used, in particular, to complement the presentation of the product in the window and, to this end, provide a cable passage, for an electrical supply cable, in the bottom wall of the case.