Set consisting of a pump dispenser and an evaluation unit
A set including a pump dispenser for discharging pharmaceutical or cosmetic liquids and an external evaluation unit, which is designed to be exchangeable so that, after the pump dispenser has been emptied, the evaluation unit can be attached to a new pump dispenser. The evaluation unit can be attached to the discharging head of the pump dispenser such that the evaluation unit detects an actuation button and can be partially displaced with same. The evaluation unit can alternatively have a receiving container which is open on at least one side and into which the pump dispenser can be inserted and the force application of which is detected on actuation.
1. A dispenser set for discharging pharmaceutical or cosmetic liquids, the dispenser set comprising:
a pump dispenser and an evaluation unit, the pump dispenser comprising:
a liquid reservoir having an upper end;
a discharge head attached to the upper end of the liquid reservoir, the discharge head comprising:
a discharge opening;
a base fastened to the liquid reservoir;
an actuating button pressable downwardly with respect to the base to discharge liquid from the liquid reservoir; and
a pump device actuated by pressing the actuating button downwardly, the pump device, when actuated, conveying liquid from an inlet channel connected to the liquid reservoir to the discharge opening;
the evaluation unit being configured for detecting actuation of the pump device, the evaluation unit being configured as an external evaluation unit and comprising:
a main segment releasably attached in a stationary manner to the liquid reservoir or the base of the discharge head;
an actuating segment having a pressing face, the pressing face being disposed and configured to permit manual movement of the actuating segment with respect to the main segment, the actuating segment being disposed on or above the actuating button such that, when the pressing face of the actuating segment is manually pressed down with respect to the base, the actuating button is pressed down indirectly; and
a detection sensor, the detection sensor detecting movement of the actuating segment with respect to the main segment.
2. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a protective cap, the protective cap in a fitted state covering the actuating button and/or the discharge opening.
3. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the protective cap is releasably couplable to the discharge head and the main segment.
4. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the protective cap is configured for a latching coupling on the main segment of the evaluation unit, and the main segment is configured for a latching coupling on the discharge head.
5. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the main segment of the evaluation unit has a free region and a ring section surrounding the free region, the pump dispenser being pushed through the free region into a coupling position.
6. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the evaluation unit further comprises a receiving housing for electronic components and/or a battery, the receiving housing being disposed on a side of the ring section.
7. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a sliding guide configured to guide the actuating segment in a translational manner on the main segment of the evaluation unit.
8. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the actuating segment has a guide section cooperating with the sliding guide, the guide section having a curved cross-section configured to partially surround the actuating button.
9. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the evaluation unit has a transmission device, the transmission device converting movement of the actuating segment with respect to the main segment into a movement for triggering the detection sensor.
10. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the transmission device has a contact member arranged such that movement of the actuating segment first causes movement of the contact member, and the contact member subsequently, during continued movement of the actuating segment, slides relative to the actuating segment.
11. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
the liquid reservoir of the pump dispenser is connected via a snap-action connection or a threaded connection to the discharge head; and/or
the liquid reservoir is shaped in a substantially cylindrical manner; and/or
the liquid reservoir has an outer side provided with an inscription; and/or
the pump device has a pump chamber, an inlet-side inlet valve and an outlet-side outlet valve, the inlet valve opening in case of a negative pressure in the pump chamber with respect to the liquid reservoir, and the outlet valve opening in case of a positive pressure in the pump chamber with respect to the surrounding atmosphere; and/or
the discharge opening is provided on the actuating button such that, when the actuating button is pressed downwardly with respect to the base of the discharge head, the discharge opening is likewise pressed down; and/or
the liquid reservoir is filled with a cosmetic or pharmaceutical liquid.
12. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a mobile evaluation device connected via a wireless interface to the evaluation unit.
13. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the mobile evaluation device comprises a mobile telephone.
14. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the wireless interface comprises a Bluetooth interface.
15. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the evaluation unit has a memory, the memory storing data detected by the detection sensor such that when there is a radio connection, the data is transmitted to the mobile evaluation device or to a central server.
16. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the detection sensor comprises a displacement sensor.
17. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the displacement sensor comprises a switch.
18. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 1 , wherein:
the evaluation unit has at least one acceleration sensor; and/or
the evaluation unit has at least one sensor comprising a global position detection device; and/or
the evaluation unit is configured, upon each actuation detected by the detection sensor, to store time, location, characteristic features of the actuation or surrounding parameters, and/or to communicate via the Internet to a central server; and/or
the evaluation unit has an indicator device comprising light emitting diodes or a display.
19. The dispenser set as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the pressing face of the actuating segment is disposed above and adjacent to the actuating button and faces away from the actuating button.
20. A set for discharging pharmaceutical or cosmetic liquids, said set comprising:
a pump dispenser, said pump dispenser comprising:
a liquid reservoir having an upper end region; and
a discharge head, said discharge head comprising:
a discharge opening;
a base connected to said upper end region of said liquid reservoir;
an actuating button pressable downwardly with respect to said base to discharge liquid from said liquid reservoir; and
a pump device operatively connected to said actuating button such that said pump device is actuated when said actuating button is pressed downwardly to convey liquid from said liquid reservoir to said discharge opening;
said set further comprising an evaluation unit for detecting actuation of said pump device, said evaluation unit comprising:
a main segment configured for releasable attachment to said upper end region of said liquid reservoir or said base of said discharge head;
an actuating segment movable relative to said main segment and disposed above and adjacent to said actuating button, said actuating segment having an actuating face disposed to face away from said actuating button and to receive a manual and downwardly-directed pressing force applied by a user, wherein when a manual and downwardly- directed pressing force is applied to said actuating face said actuating segment displaces said actuating button downwardly; and
a detection sensor, said detection sensor detecting movement of said actuating segment with respect to said main segment.