Patent Description:
A dispenser that automatically dispenses and supplies a cosmetic or the like stored in a storage tank has been known (Patent Document <NUM>).

A sensor device that generates a quantitative signal and another qualitative signal which corresponds to pressure applied when pressure-applying matter, such as air, a liquid column or injection water poured or injected from a nozzle, collides (comes into contact), and a cooling system performance evaluation apparatus comprising same are known from Patent Document <NUM>.

According to the conventional art, however, whether a liquid object has actually been dispensed from the storage tank in which the liquid object is stored is not detected and is unclear when the liquid object is dispensed from the dispenser.

An embodiment of the present invention has an object of providing a device and a method that can stably detect the dispensing of a liquid object in a liquid object dispenser. The claimed invention is covered by the independent claims, namely a liquid object detector and a liquid object detecting method.

A liquid object detector according to the disclosure includes a liquid object dispensing part, a a plurality of sensors in a direction crossing a dispensing direction of the liquid object, each sensor being configured to detect a liquid object dispensed by the liquid object dispensing part, each sensor comprising a light emitter part and a light receiver part, wherein the light emitter part is configured to output light toward the light receiver part, and a sensor moving part configured to move together the plurality of sensors in the direction crossing a dispensing direction of the liquid object.

It is possible to stably detect the dispensing of a liquid object in a liquid object dispenser.

An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below using the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is an overall configuration diagram of an example of a liquid object dispensing system <NUM> according to this embodiment.

The liquid object dispensing system <NUM> according to this embodiment includes a liquid object dispenser <NUM>, an information processing terminal <NUM>, and a server apparatus <NUM>. The liquid object dispenser <NUM>, the information processing terminal <NUM>, and the server apparatus <NUM> are connected via a network <NUM>. The liquid object dispenser <NUM> will be described later. The information processing terminal <NUM> is, for example, a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet computer. The information processing terminal <NUM> transmits user information, etc., to the server apparatus <NUM>. The server apparatus <NUM> is an information processor (computer) that executes processes as a server. The server apparatus <NUM> manages a user of the liquid object dispenser <NUM> and the state of the liquid object dispenser <NUM>. Furthermore, the server apparatus <NUM> determines the manner in which the liquid object dispenser <NUM> is caused to operate, based on user information, etc., transmitted from the information processing terminal <NUM> and weather information, etc., open to the public.

According to the liquid object dispensing system <NUM> of this embodiment, the liquid object dispenser <NUM> receives information on the operation of the liquid object dispenser <NUM> (operation information) from the server apparatus <NUM> via the network <NUM>. The liquid object dispenser <NUM> executes processes based on the received operation information. Furthermore, the liquid object dispenser <NUM> transmits the results of the processes executed based on the received operation information to the server apparatus <NUM>. The server apparatus <NUM> updates information on the state of the liquid object dispenser <NUM>, etc..

According to <FIG>, the liquid object dispenser <NUM>, the information processing terminal <NUM>, and the server apparatus <NUM>, one each, are connected to the network <NUM>, but their respective numbers are not limited to those of <FIG>. For example, multiple liquid object dispensers <NUM> and multiple information processing terminals <NUM> may be connected to the single server apparatus <NUM>. Furthermore, the processes of the server apparatus <NUM> may be distributed between or among and executed by multiple server apparatuses <NUM>. Moreover, the liquid object dispenser <NUM> may be caused to operate independently without being connected to the network <NUM>.

Next, the liquid object dispenser <NUM> is described.

<FIG> is an overall view of an example of the liquid object dispenser <NUM> according to this embodiment. <FIG> is a top view (plan view) of the liquid object dispenser <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view of the liquid object dispenser <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of the liquid object dispenser <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view of the liquid object dispenser <NUM>.

The liquid object dispenser <NUM> includes an upper surface part <NUM>, an upper housing <NUM>, a lower housing <NUM>, and a bottom surface part <NUM>. The liquid object dispenser <NUM> has a substantially cylindrical shape. The lower housing <NUM> includes a hand insertion part <NUM>. Furthermore, the lower housing <NUM> includes an extraction opening <NUM> and a human body sensor <NUM> above the hand insertion part <NUM>. A user inserts a hand into the hand insertion part <NUM>, and the human body sensor <NUM> detects the hand. In response to detection of the hand by the human body sensor <NUM>, a stored liquid (liquid object) stored in a below-described container <NUM> is dispensed from the extraction opening <NUM>. The liquid object dispenser <NUM> includes a container lid <NUM>. The container lid <NUM> is provided over the upper surface part <NUM> and the upper housing <NUM>. The user opens the container lid <NUM> to replace the below-described container <NUM> that is exposed through an opening exposed by the opened container lid <NUM>. Furthermore, the liquid object dispenser <NUM> includes a button (switch) <NUM> in the upper surface part <NUM>. Once the user presses the button <NUM>, the liquid object dispenser <NUM> starts to operate.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the container <NUM> of an example of the liquid object dispenser <NUM> according to this embodiment.

The container <NUM> is, for example, a container that stores a liquid object (stored liquid) such as a cosmetic such as an emulsion or a serum. With respect to emulsions, for example, multiple types of emulsions may be used for morning and for night. With respect to serums, for example, multiple types of serums for anti-oxidation, drying prevention, stress reduction, etc., may be used.

The container <NUM> according to this embodiment includes a body <NUM> and a lid <NUM>. A stored liquid (liquid object) is stored in the body <NUM>. The lid <NUM> is attached to the body <NUM> by screwing or the like. The lid <NUM> includes a flange <NUM>, a push button (pressing member) <NUM>, and a pipe <NUM>. A dispensing opening <NUM> from which the stored liquid (liquid object) is dispensed is provided at an end of the pipe <NUM> opposite to the push button <NUM>. The liquid object (stored liquid) in the container <NUM> is dispensed in response to the pressing of the push button <NUM>.

The body <NUM> of the container <NUM> is an example of a storage part. Furthermore, the container <NUM> operates as a push pump with the push button <NUM> of the lid <NUM>.

The container <NUM> includes an RFID tag <NUM> at the bottom surface part of the body <NUM>. The RFID tag <NUM> stores a unique identifier attached to each container <NUM>, information on the product type of the liquid object (stored liquid) stored in the container <NUM>, and the expiration date, the remaining amount, etc., of the liquid object. Because the container <NUM> includes the RFID tag <NUM>, it is possible to manage the use-by date and the amount of use of the liquid object (stored liquid) stored in the container <NUM>, prevent wrong insertion of the container <NUM>, prevent distribution of counterfeit products, and ensure the traceability of the container <NUM> and the liquid object (stored liquid) stored in the container <NUM>.

While the container <NUM> of this embodiment uses the RFID tag <NUM>, means for recording information on the container <NUM> is not limited to RFID tags. For example, a barcode, etc., may also be used.

The container <NUM> of this embodiment is accommodated in a below-described container accommodating part <NUM> of a turntable <NUM> of the liquid object dispenser <NUM> in such a manner that the push button <NUM> faces downward. Specifically, the container <NUM> is inserted into the container accommodating part <NUM> in the direction of arrow I to be accommodated in the container accommodating part <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views of an example of the liquid object dispenser <NUM> according to this embodiment, illustrating its internal structure. <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating a state where the upper housing <NUM> and part of the inside of the upper housing <NUM> are removed to expose the turntable <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state where the containers <NUM> are not accommodated in the container accommodating parts <NUM>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state where the containers <NUM> are accommodated in the container accommodating parts <NUM>.

The liquid object dispenser <NUM> according to this embodiment includes the turntable <NUM> in the upper housing <NUM> and on top of the lower housing <NUM>. The turntable <NUM> rotates on a rotary shaft <NUM> in the direction of arrow A or in a direction opposite to arrow A relative to the upper housing <NUM> and the lower housing <NUM>. While the turntable <NUM> is used to rotationally transfer the containers <NUM> according to the liquid object dispenser <NUM> of this embodiment, the transfer method is not limited to rotation. For example, a transfer table that horizontally transfers the container accommodating parts <NUM> on a straight line may also be used. Thus, the turntable <NUM> is movable relative to the upper housing <NUM> and the lower housing <NUM>. The turntable <NUM> is an example of a transfer table.

The turntable <NUM> includes the container accommodating parts <NUM> that accommodate the containers <NUM>. The container accommodating parts <NUM> are disposed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction of a circle having a center at the rotary shaft <NUM>. The turntable <NUM> of this embodiment includes the container accommodating parts <NUM> at five places in total. The container accommodating parts <NUM> are designated as container accommodating parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The container accommodating part <NUM> accommodates a container <NUM>. Likewise, the container accommodating parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> accommodate containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. While each container accommodating part <NUM> accommodates a specific container <NUM> according to the above description, each container accommodating part <NUM> may accommodate any container <NUM>. Furthermore, the containers <NUM> are accommodated in the container accommodating parts <NUM> in such a manner that the pipes <NUM> are on the outer side of the container accommodating parts <NUM> relative to the rotary shaft <NUM> of the turntable <NUM>.

The container accommodating parts <NUM> of the turntable <NUM> include a fixation structure (whose graphical representation is omitted) that fixes the containers <NUM>. The containers <NUM> are fixed by the fixation structure so as not to move in the vertically upward direction of <FIG> when accommodated in the container accommodating parts <NUM>.

Each container <NUM> revolves relative to the upper housing <NUM> and the lower housing <NUM> as the turntable <NUM> rotates.

<FIG> illustrates top views of an example of the liquid object dispenser <NUM> according to this embodiment, illustrating its internal structure. <FIG> illustrates views of the turntable <NUM> in which the containers <NUM> are accommodated in the container accommodating parts <NUM> as seen from above. <FIG> illustrates a state where the container <NUM> (the container <NUM>) is positioned over the extraction opening <NUM>. <FIG> is a view of the liquid object dispenser <NUM> of <FIG> as seen from above. The position of the container <NUM> over the extraction opening <NUM> is referred to as dispensing position PosA. According to the liquid object dispenser <NUM> of this embodiment, the five containers <NUM> in total may be accommodated in the container accommodating parts <NUM>. Therefore, as the turntable <NUM> rotates <NUM>° on the rotary shaft <NUM>, the containers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> sequentially arrive at the dispensing position PosA.

<FIG> depicts a state where the turntable <NUM> has rotated <NUM> degrees in the direction of arrow A from the state illustrated in <FIG> depicts a state where the middle part between the container <NUM> and the container <NUM> is positioned over the extraction opening <NUM>. The position opposite to the dispensing position PosA relative to the rotary shaft <NUM> (the position of the container <NUM> in <FIG>) is referred to as replacement position PosB. In <FIG>, as the turntable <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> rotates <NUM>°, the container <NUM> (<NUM>) also rotates <NUM>° to be positioned at PosB. When the container lid <NUM> is opened, the container <NUM> at the replacement position PosB is exposed to the outside. The user can replace the container <NUM> at the replacement position PosB with another container <NUM>.

Thus, according to the liquid object dispenser <NUM> of this embodiment, the turntable <NUM> is configured to rotate <NUM>° by <NUM>° on the rotary shaft <NUM>. As a result, the containers <NUM> through <NUM> can sequentially be positioned at the dispensing position PosA or the replacement position PosB.

According to the liquid object dispenser <NUM> of this embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the dispensing position PosA and the replacement position PosB are at different positions in a plan view (a top view).

<FIG> is a perspective view of an example of the liquid object dispenser <NUM> according to this embodiment, illustrating the details of its dispensing mechanism <NUM>.

The liquid object dispenser <NUM> includes the dispensing mechanism <NUM> at a position corresponding to the dispensing position PosA on the turntable <NUM>. The dispensing mechanism <NUM> according to this embodiment includes a dispensing motor <NUM>, a speed reducer <NUM>, a cam <NUM>, a slide member <NUM>, and a fixing member <NUM>. The rotating shaft of the dispensing motor <NUM> connects to the speed reducer <NUM>. The speed reducer <NUM> connects to the cam <NUM>. The speed reducer <NUM> decelerates the rotation of the dispensing motor <NUM> to turn the cam <NUM>. The cam <NUM> is a substantially fan-shaped eccentric cam. The cam <NUM> is inserted in a recess <NUM> provided in a surface of the slide member <NUM> facing toward the speed reducer <NUM>. The cam <NUM> turns to contact the inner surface of the recess <NUM> to slide the slide member <NUM> up and down. The fixing member <NUM> is a member that fixes the slide member <NUM> while holding the slide member <NUM> in such a manner as to slide the slide member <NUM> up and down.

The turntable <NUM> transfers the container <NUM> to the dispensing position PosA. The position of the push button <NUM> of the container <NUM> at the dispensing position PosA coincides with the position of an end portion <NUM> of the slide member <NUM> in a top view. When the slide member <NUM> slides toward the container <NUM> (upward), the end portion <NUM> of the slide member <NUM> contacts the push button <NUM> of the container <NUM> to press the push button <NUM> of the container <NUM> toward the body <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The body <NUM> and the lid <NUM> of the container <NUM> are immovably fixed by a fixing structure that is not depicted. Accordingly, as the push button <NUM> of the container <NUM> is pressed, the stored liquid (dispensing liquid) stored in the container <NUM> is dispensed. The liquid object dispenser <NUM> controls the amount of the stored liquid (dispensing liquid) by the number of times the push button <NUM> is pressed.

The container <NUM> is an example of a liquid object dispensing part. Furthermore, the dispensing mechanism <NUM> is an example of a pressing part.

<FIG> is a functional block diagram of an example of the liquid object dispenser <NUM> according to this embodiment.

The liquid object dispenser <NUM> includes the control device <NUM>. The control device <NUM> controls the operation of the liquid object dispenser <NUM>. The control device <NUM> includes a device control part <NUM>, a communication control part <NUM>, a rotation control part <NUM>, a dispensing control part <NUM>, a position detecting part <NUM>, a dispensing detecting part <NUM>, an input/output part <NUM>, and an RFID control part <NUM>.

The device control part <NUM> controls the entire device.

The communication control part <NUM> controls communications between the liquid object dispenser <NUM> and the information processing terminal <NUM> and the server apparatus <NUM>. The communication control part <NUM> controls a communication part <NUM> provided in the liquid object dispenser <NUM>. The communication part <NUM> performs communications with the information processing terminal <NUM> and the server apparatus <NUM> via the network <NUM> based on the control of the communication control part <NUM>. The communication part <NUM> performs communications through, for example, short-range communications based on Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, wireless LAN (Local Area Network) communications, mobile communications based on LTE (Long Term Evolution) or the like, etc..

The rotation control part <NUM> controls the rotation of the turntable <NUM>. The turntable <NUM> is connected to a rotation motor <NUM>. The rotation control part <NUM> controls the rotation of the turntable <NUM> by controlling the rotation of the rotation motor <NUM>.

The dispensing control part <NUM> controls the dispensing of the liquid object (stored liquid). The dispensing control part <NUM> controls the dispensing of the liquid object (stored liquid) by controlling the rotation of the dispensing motor <NUM> of the dispensing mechanism <NUM>.

The position detecting part <NUM> detects whether a predetermined container <NUM> is at a predetermined position, for example, the dispensing position PosA or the replacement position PosB. The position detecting part <NUM> detects the position of a predetermined container <NUM> from the detection result of a position detector <NUM> provided in the liquid object dispenser <NUM>.

The dispensing detecting part <NUM> detects whether the liquid object (stored liquid) has been dispensed from the container <NUM> at the dispensing position PosA. The dispensing detecting part <NUM> detects whether the liquid object (stored liquid) has been dispensed from the detection result of a dispensing detector <NUM> provided in the liquid object dispenser <NUM>.

The input/output part <NUM> receives an input from the user and outputs information to the user. The input/output part <NUM> detects the depression of the button <NUM> to receive an input from the user. Furthermore, the input/output part <NUM> controls the light emission of an LED provided in the liquid object dispenser <NUM> by controlling an LED driver part <NUM> to output information to the user.

The RFID control part <NUM> controls the input and output of information recorded in the RFID tag <NUM> of the container <NUM>. The RFID control part <NUM> controls an RFID reader writer <NUM> provided in the liquid object dispenser <NUM> to read information from and write information to the RFID tag <NUM> of the container <NUM>.

The functions of the control device <NUM> are implemented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) running programs readably stored in a storage that is not depicted. For example, these functions are implemented by the cooperation of hardware and software in a microcomputer including a CPU. The control device <NUM> may be distributed between or among multiple processors, or other functions may be incorporated into the control device <NUM>.

The server apparatus <NUM> determines the type and amount of a liquid object dispensed from the liquid object dispenser <NUM> used by a user from personal information such as the age, skin characteristics, skin condition, etc., of the user, the environmental information such as temperature, humidity, and weather of the day of use, time information, etc. When the user depresses the button (switch) <NUM> of the liquid object dispenser <NUM>, the liquid object dispenser <NUM> performs transmission to the server apparatus <NUM>, and the server apparatus <NUM> transmits information on the type and amount of a liquid object to be dispensed (dispensing liquid information) to the liquid object dispenser <NUM>. When the user inserts her/his hand into the hand insertion part <NUM>, the liquid object dispenser <NUM> dispenses one or more types of liquid objects corresponding to the containers <NUM> housed in the liquid object dispenser <NUM>. The liquid object dispenser <NUM> dispenses each liquid object based on the amount in the dispensing liquid information.

The device control part <NUM> of the liquid object dispenser <NUM> identifies the container <NUM> from which to dispense a liquid object among the containers <NUM> (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) accommodated in the liquid object dispenser <NUM>, from the dispensing liquid information received from the server apparatus <NUM>. The device control part <NUM> calculates the amount of the liquid object to dispense, namely, the number of times the push button <NUM> is pressed, with respect to the identified dispensing container <NUM>.

In response to the insertion of the user's hand into the hand insertion part <NUM>, the device control part <NUM> rotationally transfers the container accommodating part <NUM> of the container <NUM> from which to dispense the liquid object to the dispensing position PosA by controlling the rotation control part <NUM>. Next, the device control part <NUM> controls the dispensing control part <NUM> to press the push button <NUM> of the container <NUM> the calculated number of times to dispense the liquid object.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of the part of the dispensing detector <NUM> of the liquid object dispenser <NUM>. Furthermore, <FIG> is a functional block diagram of the dispensing detector of an example of the liquid object dispenser according to this embodiment.

The dispensing detector <NUM> is described. The dispensing detector <NUM> includes three sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, a plate <NUM> on which the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are placed, a cam plate <NUM> to move the plate <NUM>, and a dispensing detector control part <NUM>.

The sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are described. The sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the dispensing detector <NUM> of this embodiment are arranged in a direction that crosses a direction in which a liquid object is dispensed from the dispensing opening <NUM> of the container <NUM> (dispensing direction).

Here, the sensor <NUM> is described. The sensor <NUM> includes a light emitter part <NUM> and a light receiver part <NUM>. The light emitter part <NUM> includes a light-emitting device. The light-emitting device is, for example, a light-emitting diode. The light emitter part <NUM> outputs light emitted by the light-emitting device toward the light receiver part <NUM>. The light receiver part <NUM> includes a light-receiving device. The light-receiving device is, for example, a photodiode. The light receiver part <NUM> receives light output from the light emitter part <NUM> at the light-receiving device. An area in which light propagates between the light emitter part <NUM> and the light receiver part <NUM> is the sensor sensing range of the sensor <NUM>.

The light that the light emitter part <NUM> outputs is light of a wavelength absorbed by or reflected from the liquid object. Accordingly, when there is the liquid object in the sensor sensing range between the light emitter part <NUM> and the light receiver part <NUM>, the output light of the light emitter part <NUM> is blocked by the liquid object, so that the amount of light received at the light receiver part <NUM> is reduced. Thus, it is possible to detect whether the liquid object is dispensed in the sensor sensing range by the presence or absence of reduction in light.

The sensors <NUM> and <NUM> are sensors equal to the sensor <NUM>. That is, the sensors <NUM> and <NUM> include respective light emitter parts <NUM> and <NUM> and respective light receiver parts <NUM> and <NUM>. The sensors <NUM> and <NUM> operate the same as the sensor <NUM>.

Next, the plate <NUM> on which the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are placed is described. The plate <NUM> includes a light emitter part placement part <NUM>, a light receiver part placement part <NUM>, and an opening <NUM>. The light emitter parts <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are placed on the light emitter part placement part <NUM>. The light receiver parts <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are placed on the light receiver part placement part <NUM>. The light emitter part placement part <NUM> and the light receiver part placement part <NUM> are placed across the opening <NUM> from each other. Thus, a space above the opening <NUM> of the plate <NUM> serves as the respective sensor sensing ranges of the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. The liquid object dispensed from the dispensing opening <NUM> of the container <NUM> is dispensed from the extraction opening <NUM> through the opening <NUM>.

According to this embodiment, the light emitter parts and the light receiver parts of sensors are placed at different locations on the plate <NUM>, as on the light emitter part placement part <NUM> and the light receiver part placement part <NUM>. The arrangement of light emitter parts and light receiver parts, however, may be changed to the extent that the sensors are so placed as to have their sensor sensing ranges above the opening <NUM>. For example, the respective light emitter part, light receiver part, and light emitter part of sensors may be placed in order on one side and the corresponding light receiver part, light emitter part, and light receiver part of the sensors may be placed in order on the other side of the opening <NUM>.

Next, the cam plate <NUM> that moves the plate <NUM> is described.

The cam plate <NUM> includes a diagonally formed inclined groove <NUM> and a laterally formed lateral groove <NUM>. A protrusion <NUM> protruding from the slide member <NUM> of the dispensing mechanism <NUM> is fit into the inclined groove <NUM>. A protrusion <NUM> protruding from the fixing member <NUM> of the dispensing mechanism <NUM> is fit into the lateral groove <NUM>. Furthermore, the top of the cam plate <NUM> is so held by a holding member <NUM> protruding from the fixing member <NUM> of the dispensing mechanism <NUM> as not to move upward.

When the liquid object dispenser <NUM> dispenses a liquid object, the slide member <NUM> of the dispensing mechanism <NUM> slides upward. The upward slide of the slide member <NUM> moves the protrusion <NUM> of the slide member <NUM> upward. The protrusion <NUM> is fit into the inclined groove <NUM> of the cam plate <NUM>. Therefore, the protrusion <NUM> moves upward to move along the inclined groove <NUM> of the cam plate <NUM>. The upward and downward movements of the cam plate <NUM> are restricted by the protrusion <NUM> of the fixing member <NUM> fit into the lateral groove <NUM> and the holding member <NUM>. Accordingly, when the protrusion <NUM> moves upward, the protrusion <NUM> moves along the inclined groove <NUM> of the cam plate <NUM> to move the cam plate <NUM> in a lateral direction, namely, a direction that crosses the dispensing direction of the liquid object, so that the plate <NUM> moves in the lateral direction, namely, a direction that crosses the dispensing direction of the liquid object. As a result, the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> provided on the plate <NUM> move in the lateral direction, namely, a direction that crosses the direction in which the liquid object is dispensed from the dispensing opening <NUM> of the container <NUM> (the dispensing direction), which is the same direction as a direction in which the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged.

The plate <NUM> is an example of a retaining member that retains sensors. The cam plate <NUM> and the dispensing mechanism <NUM> is an example of a sensor moving part. Furthermore, the dispensing detector <NUM> is an example of a liquid object detector.

Thus, according to the dispensing detector <NUM> of this embodiment, the plate <NUM> is interlocked with the dispensing mechanism <NUM> that dispenses a liquid object from the container <NUM>, specifically, the slide member <NUM> that presses the push button <NUM> of the container <NUM> to cause a liquid object to be dispensed.

According to the dispensing detector <NUM> of this embodiment, the dispensing detector <NUM> has the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> that detect whether a liquid object has been dispensed arranged in a direction that crosses a direction in which the liquid object is dispensed from the dispensing opening <NUM> of the container <NUM> (dispensing direction). Because of this, for example, in the case where the sensor <NUM> is supposed to detect a liquid object, even when, for example, the dispensing direction shifts because of adhesion of the liquid object to the dispensing opening <NUM> to be off the sensor sensing range of the sensor <NUM>, it is possible to detect the liquid object with the sensor <NUM> or <NUM>. Accordingly, by having multiple sensors provided in a direction that crosses the dispensing direction of a liquid object as the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, it is possible to stably detect the liquid object.

Furthermore, the plate <NUM> of the dispensing detector <NUM> of this embodiment moves in directions that cross a direction in which the liquid object is dispensed from the dispensing opening <NUM> of the container <NUM> (dispensing direction) and are the same as directions in which the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> are arranged (the directions of arrow M in <FIG>).

By moving the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> by moving the plate <NUM>, it is possible to detect the liquid object even when the dispensing direction of the liquid object shifts to be between the sensors <NUM> and <NUM> or the sensors <NUM> and <NUM>. Accordingly, by moving the sensors <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, it is possible to detect the liquid object with more stability.

According to the liquid object dispenser <NUM> of this embodiment, the dispensing mechanism <NUM> that presses the container <NUM> that constitutes a push pump and the cam plate <NUM> that moves the plate <NUM> are interlocked, thereby making it possible to move the sensors to the dispensing of a liquid object. This makes it possible to stably detect the liquid object.

Furthermore, by coordinating the liquid object and the movement of the sensors, it is possible to move the sensors to the dispensing of the liquid object, so that it is possible to stably detect the liquid obj ect.

According to the liquid object dispensing system <NUM> of this embodiment, the server apparatus <NUM> manages the state of the liquid object dispenser <NUM>. For example, the server apparatus <NUM> manages the remaining amount of a liquid object stored in the container <NUM> of the liquid object dispenser <NUM>. Use of the dispensing detector <NUM> of this embodiment makes it possible to accurately manage the remaining amount by detecting the dispensing of the liquid object.

The present invention is described above based on an embodiment. The present invention, however, is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various variations may be made without departing from the scope of the claims.

Claim 1:
A liquid object detector (<NUM>) comprising:
a liquid object dispensing part (<NUM>);
a plurality of sensors (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in a direction (M) crossing a dispensing direction (D) of the liquid object, each sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) being configured to detect a liquid object dispensed by the liquid object dispensing part (<NUM>), each sensor (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a light emitter part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and a light receiver part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein each light emitter part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is configured to output light toward the corresponding light receiver part (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
a sensor moving part (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to move together the plurality of sensors (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in the crossing direction (M).