Dispenser and method of operation thereof

Abstract

A dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a housing; a main motor disposed inside the housing; a mounting body, which is rotated by means of the main motor, on which the plurality of cartridges are mounted, and which includes a plurality of holders to which each of the plurality of cartridges is fixed; and a holder holder for appropriately fastening a holder that is not fastened to the cartridge among the plurality of holders. The present disclosure is directed to providing a dispenser that performs an automatic fastening operation to properly fasten an unfastened cartridge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dispenser for providing cosmetics such as foundation, hair dye, etc. and an operation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Recently, with the development of the beauty industry, the types of cosmetics have become very diverse. However, since each user has different skin and hair characteristics, there are limitations in supplying cosmetics suitable for each user. Therefore, dispensers for providing cosmetics suitable for each user are being developed.

[0003] Cosmetics can include not only those used on the user's skin, such as foundation and sunscreen, but also those used on the user's hair, such as hair dye.

[0004] The dispenser can provide these cosmetics to the user by manufacturing cosmetics according to each user's preferences and tastes. For example, the dispenser can dispense various ingredients so as to provide cosmetics that cover the skin or dye the hair in the color desired by the user.

[0005] These dispensers are equipped with cartridges containing various ingredients, and when the expiration date or the contents are exhausted, these cartridges must be replaced by the user.

[0006] In other words, the user installs or replaces the cartridge himself / herself, but when this happens, there may be a problem that the cartridge is not fully installed in the dispenser. If the cartridge is not properly installed in the designated position, an emission error may occur.

[0007] Therefore, a method for pre-checking whether the cartridge is properly installed when replacing the cartridge or the like is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Technical Problem

[0009] The present disclosure attempts to provide a dispenser that verifies whether a cartridge is properly installed.

[0010] The present disclosure attempts to provide a dispenser that performs an automatic installation operation to properly install an uninstalled cartridge.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] A dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a housing; a main motor disposed inside the housing; an installation body that rotates by the main motor, is equipped with a plurality of cartridges, and includes a plurality of holders for fixing each of the plurality of cartridges; and a holder bracket for properly installing an uninstalled holder among the plurality of holders.

[0013] A protrusion for applying pressure to the uninstalled holder may be formed in the holder bracket.

[0014] At least one inclined surface may be formed on the lower part of the retainer bracket.

[0015] The height of the inclined surface may decrease along the rotation direction of the mounting body.

[0016] The retainer bracket may be mounted such that the inclined surface forms an angle of 5 degrees to 85 degrees with the rotation plane of the mounting body.

[0017] The retainer bracket may be mounted at a predetermined distance from the normally connected retainer.

[0018] When performing an automatic installation operation to normally install an uninstalled retainer, the mounting body may rotate at least once.

[0019] The dispenser may include a rotation detection sensor configured to detect whether the mounting body rotates, and if the mounting body does not rotate, the mounting body may stop the automatic installation operation.

[0020] The dispenser may include a rotation detection sensor configured to detect whether the mounting body rotates, and if the mounting body does not rotate, an alarm may be output to indicate a poor retainer installation.

[0021] A door is formed on one side of the housing, and when the door is opened and then closed, an automatic installation operation is performed to normally install an uninstalled retainer.

[0022] The dispenser may include a door sensor for detecting whether the door is open or closed.

[0023] Advantageous Effects

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if it is estimated that a cartridge replacement operation has been performed, an operation for automatically checking whether the cartridge is installed is performed, so that there is an advantage in minimizing problems such as ejection errors due to abnormal installation of the cartridge.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if a retainer for fixing the cartridge is not installed on the cartridge, it is automatically installed through the retainer bracket, so that there is an advantage in minimizing the inconvenience of the user having to install the retainers on the cartridges one by one.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if automatic installation is difficult, there is an advantage in that problems can be prevented in advance by generating an alarm and stopping the automatic installation operation. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a cosmetic providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 3 shows the receiving body and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the shown dispenser is separated.

[0030] Figure 4 is a view showing the inside of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 5 is a view showing a part of a cartridge and a lifting body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as seen from a side view.

[0032] Figure 6 is a view showing a part of a cartridge, a lifting body, and a lifting motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as seen from a front view.

[0033] Figure 7 is a plan view showing a rotation path of a cartridge and a lifting motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 8 is a view showing a plurality of cartridges and a mounting body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 9 is an example view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a retainer is not properly mounted on the cartridge.

[0036] Figure 10 is a front view showing the inside of a dispenser including a retainer bracket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the inside of a dispenser including a retainer bracket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 12 is a control block diagram for explaining an operation method of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Embodiments

[0040] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regardless of the reference numerals, the same or similar components will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0041] The suffixes “module” and “section” for the components in the following description are given only for facilitating the preparation of the specification or used interchangeably, and they do not have different meanings or functions by themselves.

[0042] In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that the specific description of the relevant known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, its detailed description will be omitted. In addition, the drawings are only intended to facilitate the easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives included in the spirit and technical scope of this disclosure.

[0043] Terms including ordinal numbers (such as first, second, etc.) may be used to describe various components, but these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0044] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0045] In this application, the term “comprising” or “having” should be understood as indicating the presence of the features, quantities, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but does not exclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, quantities, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0046] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a cosmetic providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] The cosmetic providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least some or all of a dispenser 1, a terminal 2, and a sensor 3. Each of the dispenser 1, the terminal 2, and the sensor 3 may communicate with each other to send and receive signals.

[0048] The dispenser 1 includes various components and may discharge at least one component when receiving a manufacturing command for providing cosmetics.

[0049] Here, the components may refer to raw materials for manufacturing cosmetics, such as foundation, dyes, etc. The components may include raw materials, compounds, etc. for manufacturing cosmetics.

[0050] Cosmetics may refer to manufactured products provided by discharging at least one component.

[0051] For example, if the dispenser 1 is a device that provides dyes, the ingredient can refer to a coloring material. The coloring material can include both chemical components and natural components, and can include oxidation dyes that express colors, natural dyes, oxidants, alkalizing agents, and auxiliary components for protecting hair. For example, the oxidation dyes can include p-phenylenediamine that expresses black, p-terphenylenediamine that expresses dark brown, and mono-nonylolphenylenediamine that expresses red, and the oxidants can include hydrogen peroxide, carbamide peroxide, sodium perborate, and the alkalizing agents can include ammonia, surfactants, monoethanolamine, etc.

[0052] In addition, the coloring material can include acid dyes, basic dyes, HC dyes, direct dyes, bleaching agents, etc.

[0053] The ingredient can be a compound in which two or more chemical components are mixed, a compound in which two or more natural components are mixed, or a compound in which one or more chemical components and one or more natural components are mixed.

[0054] Cosmetics are provided by discharging at least one of the above ingredients suitable for use on the user's skin or hair, and cosmetics can be manufactured by discharging any one of the multiple ingredients, or can be manufactured by discharging at least two of the multiple ingredients.

[0055] The terminal 2 can receive a command from the user to select a target color. The terminal 2 can display at least one sample color, and can receive a command to select a target color by selecting any one of the displayed sample colors. The selected color among the sample colors can be the target color.

[0056] Here, the sample color can pre-indicate the color of the skin or hair expected to be colored by using the cosmetics, and can represent an example color. The target color can be the color selected by the user to be colored by the cosmetics to be manufactured.

[0057] The terminal 2 is a device capable of wired / wireless communication and having a display and input unit, and can include mobile terminals such as smartphones, smartwatches, tablets, personal computers (PCs), etc., but this is only an example and is not limited thereto.

[0058] Meanwhile, although the dispenser 1 and the terminal 2 are shown as separate in Figure 1 they can be formed as one unit.

[0059] The sensor 3 can measure the color of the skin or hair that is the target of using the cosmetics. The sensor 3 can be a separate device different from the dispenser 1 or the terminal 2, or can be a component of the dispenser 1 or the terminal 2.

[0060] The sensor 3 can measure the current color of the skin or hair before using the cosmetic product, or the resultant color of the skin or hair after using the cosmetic product. In addition, the sensor 3 can measure the color of the skin or hair while using the cosmetic product.

[0061] The sensor 3 can be a spectrophotometer. That is, the sensor 3 can measure the color of the skin or hair by obtaining values of three properties of the skin or hair at a position in contact with or adjacent to the skin or hair.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cosmetic product providing system can cause the sensor 3 to measure the current color of the hair and send the current color information to the dispenser 1, and the terminal 2 can send the target color information to the dispenser 1 after receiving a command to select a target color. When the dispenser 1 receives the current color information from the sensor 3 and the target color information from the terminal 2, the dispenser 1 can calculate a manufacturing method of the cosmetic product for developing the skin or hair from the current color to the target color, and can discharge ingredients according to the calculated manufacturing method of the cosmetic product to provide the cosmetic product.

[0063] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 3 is showing the separation from Figure 2 a perspective view of the receiving body separated from the dispenser shown, and Figure 4 is a view showing the interior of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] The dispenser 1 can include a housing 10, a plurality of cartridges 5 disposed inside the housing 10 and containing ingredients, a main body 20 in which the plurality of cartridges 5 are rotatably disposed, a main motor 30 for rotating the plurality of cartridges 5, a lifting motor 61 that is driven when the ingredients contained in the plurality of cartridges 5 are discharged, and at least a part or all of a receiving body 40 in which a cosmetic product manufactured from the ingredients discharged from at least one of the plurality of cartridges 5 is provided.

[0065] The housing 10 can protect the components accommodated inside the dispenser 1. The plurality of cartridges 5, the main body 20, the main motor 30, the lifting motor 61, and the receiving body 40 can be disposed inside the dispenser 1.

[0066] The housing 10 can have a hexahedron shape with a space formed inside. Preferably, the housing 10 can be a rectangular or hexahedron shape in which each face is a square, but this is only an example and is not limited thereto.

[0067] A display 6 can be formed on the front surface of the housing 10. The display 6 can display various information related to the supply of the cosmetic product.

[0068] In addition, the receiving body 40 can be mounted to the housing 10 or detached from the housing 10 through the front surface of the housing 10. The receiving body 40 can be separated from the housing 10.

[0069] A door D can be formed in the housing 10. The door D can be formed on one of the rear surface (opposite side of the front surface), side surface, or top surface of the housing 10.

[0070] When at least one cartridge 5 housed in the housing 10 is replaced, the door D can be opened and closed.

[0071] The cross-sectional area of the door D can be larger than the cross-sectional area of one cartridge 5. Thus, each of the multiple cartridges 5 can pass through the door D, and the user can easily replace the cartridge 5 through the door D.

[0072] The shape of the housing 10 shown in the figure is merely exemplary and is not limited thereto.

[0073] A receiving body space 9 in which the receiving body 40 is placed can be formed in the housing 10. The receiving body 40 can be mounted to the housing 10 by being placed in the receiving body space 9, or can be separated from the housing 10 by being separated from the receiving body space 9. The receiving body space 9 can be a passage through which cosmetics made from the components discharged from the multiple cartridges 5 are provided to the outside.

[0074] The user can place the receiving body 40 inside the housing 10 or remove it to the outside through the receiving body space 9.

[0075] A basket 7 for receiving the components discharged from the multiple cartridges 5 can be arranged in the receiving body 40.

[0076] The basket 7 can be placed inside the receiving body 40 or can be separated from the receiving body 40.

[0077] In this case, the user can easily receive cosmetics through the basket 7 and can easily clean the receiving body 40 separated from the housing 10.

[0078] Meanwhile, in Figure 2 and Figure 3 the receiving body space 9 and the display 6 are shown as being formed on the same surface of the housing 10, but according to an embodiment, the receiving body space 9 and the display 6 can be formed on different surfaces of the housing 10, respectively.

[0079] As Figure 4As shown, inside the housing 10, a plurality of cartridges 5 can be arranged, an installation body 21 on which each of the plurality of cartridges 5 is mounted, a support body 22 that supports the installation body 21, a main body 20 that supports at least one of the installation body 21 and the support body 22, a main motor 30 that rotates the installation body 21, a lifting body 65 that raises and lowers to discharge a component from one of the plurality of cartridges 5 (see Figure 5 ), a lifting motor 61 that drives the lifting body 65, and the like.

[0080] The installation body 21 has a circular outer periphery and can mount a plurality of cartridges 5. The plurality of cartridges 5 can be interchangeably mounted on the installation body 21. A plurality of mounting holes h1 (see Figure 8 ) in which the plurality of cartridges 5 are respectively installed can be formed at intervals along a circular shape on the installation body 21. The plurality of cartridges 5 can be positioned by passing through each of the plurality of mounting holes h1. In particular, each of the plurality of cartridges 5 can have an actuator 54 (see Figure 5 ), and the actuator is positioned downward through each of the plurality of mounting holes h1.

[0081] The support body 22 can support the installation body 21. The support body 22 can support a power transmission shaft 23 formed at the center of the installation body 21.

[0082] The power transmission shaft 23 is connected to the main motor 30 at one end and can be arranged at the center of the installation body 21.

[0083] A part of the power transmission shaft 23 can be arranged to penetrate a center hole (not shown) formed at the center of the installation body 21. The power transmission shaft 23 can transmit the power of the main motor 30 to the installation body 21. Therefore, the installation body 21 rotates by the drive of the main motor 30, and thus, the plurality of cartridges 5 can rotate.

[0084] The main body 20 can support at least one of the installation body 21 and the support body 22. In addition, the main body 20 can support the lifting body 65 (see Figure 5 ) and the lifting motor 61.

[0085] In addition, a plurality of retainers 24 can be formed in the installation body 21. Each of the plurality of retainers 24 can respectively fix the plurality of cartridges 5.

[0086] In addition, a receiving body 40 can be arranged inside the housing 10, and a weight sensor 104 can be installed below the arrangement space of the receiving body 40. When the receiving body 40 is installed on the housing 10, the weight sensor 104 can detect the weight of the basket 7 arranged inside the receiving body 40.

[0087] The dispenser 1 can also include a controller 110 (seeFigure 12 ) The controller is configured to control the main motor 30 and the lifting motor 61 such that ingredients are discharged from at least one of the plurality of cartridges 5 according to a method for manufacturing cosmetics.

[0088] The controller 110 may be disposed inside the housing 10 adjacent to the display 6, but this is merely exemplary, and the controller 110 may be disposed at any position within the housing 10.

[0089] The controller 110 may receive cosmetics-related information from the terminal 2 through a communication unit (not shown), or input cosmetics-related information from the display 6 configured as a touchpad to calculate a method for manufacturing cosmetics.

[0090] The method for manufacturing cosmetics may include information about the type of ingredient to be discharged and information about the amount of ingredient to be discharged.

[0091] The controller 110 may control the main motor 30 and the lifting motor 61 such that ingredients are discharged from at least one of the cartridges 5 in a determined amount according to a method for manufacturing cosmetics.

[0092] The main motor 30 generates a driving force, and the driving force generated from the main motor 30 is transmitted to the mounting body 21 through the power transmission shaft 23 such that the mounting body 21 can rotate. The controller 110 may control the main motor 30 to position the cartridge 5 containing the ingredient to be discharged in the discharge area.

[0093] Here, the discharge area may refer to a position where the cartridge 5 containing the ingredient to be discharged is arranged vertically parallel to the basket 7.

[0094] When the ingredient to be discharged is in the discharge area, the controller 110 may control the amount of ingredient discharged by controlling the lifting motor 61.

[0095] The controller 110 may control at least one of the lifting height and the lifting speed of the lifting body 65 (see Figure 5 ) through the lifting motor 61 to adjust the amount of ingredient discharged.

[0096] Figure 5 is a view showing a part of a cartridge and a lifting body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from a side view, Figure 6 is a view showing a part of a cartridge, a lifting body, and a lifting motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure from a front view, and Figure 7 is a plan view showing a rotation path of a cartridge and a lifting motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] The lifting motor 61 may raise or lower the lifting body 65.

[0098] The lifting body 65 can pressurize a cartridge 5 when rising and can be separated from the pressurized cartridge 5 when descending. The lifting body 65 can discharge the components accommodated in the cartridge 5 by pressurizing the cartridge 5, particularly by an actuator 54.

[0099] The lifting body 65 can move up and down so that the components are discharged from one of the plurality of cartridges 5. The lifting body 65 can move upward or downward to selectively drive the actuator 54.

[0100] The lifting motor 61 can be mounted on the main body 20. The lifting body 65 can be arranged in the space S between the plurality of cartridges 5 and the main body 20.

[0101] The lifting body 65 can have a straight shape. That is, the lifting body 65 can not be bent. Therefore, the production process of the lifting body 65 can be facilitated.

[0102] The lifting body 65 can be arranged to be separated from the rotation path along which the plurality of cartridges 5 rotate. According to one embodiment, the lifting motor 61 can be mounted closer to the front side of the housing 10 than the mounting body 21, and the lifting body 65 can be connected to the side surface of the lifting motor 61.

[0103] In this case, when the plurality of cartridges 5 rotate, the problem that at least some of the plurality of cartridges 5 are caught by the lifting body 65 can be minimized. For example, if at least a part of the lifting path of the lifting body 65 interferes with the rotation path along which the plurality of cartridges 5 rotate, a failure may occur, resulting in a collision and damage between the cartridge 5 and the lifting body 65. However, as in the present disclosure, if the lifting body 65 is arranged such that the lifting path of the lifting body 65 does not overlap with the rotation path along which the plurality of cartridges 5 rotate, the interference problem between the lifting body 65 and the cartridge 5 can be minimized. At this time, the lifting path is the path along which the lifting body 65 moves up and down, and the rotation path is the path along which the outlet P of each of the plurality of cartridges 5 moves when the plurality of cartridges 5 rotate, and can be a virtual circular shape.

[0104] In addition, since the lifting body 65 is arranged to be separated from the rotation path along which the plurality of cartridges 5 rotate, the problem that the components hanging on the outlet P of the cartridge 5 are contaminated by the lifting body 65 while rotating can be minimized. In other words, there is an advantage in minimizing the contamination problem of the lifting body 65.

[0105] Each of the plurality of cartridges 5 is formed with a container 51 for accommodating a component and an actuator 54 for discharging the component accommodated in the container 51, and the actuator 54 may be formed with a discharge body 53 and an activation body 52. The discharge body 53 has an outlet P through which the component accommodated in the container 51 moves to the outside, and the activation body 52 opens the outlet P according to pressure. The outlet P may be a passage through which the component stored in the container 51 moves to the outside.

[0106] As Figures 5 to 7 shown, when the lifting body 65 is spaced apart from the activation body 52, the outlet P may be closed, and in this case, the component may not be discharged from the container 51.

[0107] Meanwhile, when the lifting body 65 rises and comes into contact with the activation body 52 and pressure is applied to the activation body 52, the outlet P may be opened. In particular, as the pressure applied to the activation body 52 increases, the opened area of the outlet P may become wider. That is, the greater the pressure applied by the lifting body 65 to the activation body 52, the greater the amount of the component discharged from the outlet P, and the smaller the pressure applied by the lifting body 65 to the activation body 52, the smaller the amount of the component discharged from the outlet P.

[0108] In this way, the dispenser 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention can discharge the component by pressurizing the activation body 52 with the lifting body 65. At this time, the component may include all of a liquid type, a cream type, or an oil type. That is, the dispenser 1 can discharge a liquid type component, a cream type component, or an oil type component accommodated in the cartridge 5. Thus, the dispenser 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of being able to discharge the component regardless of the component state.

[0109] Meanwhile, the cartridge 5 may be fixed by a holder 24.

[0110] Figure 8 is a view showing a plurality of cartridges and a mounting body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0111] The mounting body 21 is a member on which a plurality of cartridges 5 are mounted and can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise. The mounting body 21 may be a turntable.

[0112] The mounting body 21 may include an upper mounting body 21a to which a plurality of holders 24 are connected and a lower mounting body 21b formed with a plurality of mounting holes h1.

[0113] A plurality of holders 24 may be mounted on the upper mounting body 21a to fix each of the plurality of cartridges 5.

[0114] The upper part 5a of each of the plurality of cartridges 5 can be fixed by a plurality of holders 24, and the lower part 5b of each of the plurality of cartridges 5 can be fixed by a plurality of mounting holes h1.

[0115] The holders 24 can fix the plurality of cartridges 5 by wrapping the upper part 5a of each of the plurality of cartridges 5. Specifically, each of the plurality of holders 24 is connected to the upper mounting body 21a by a spring, and when the lever 24a of the holder 24 is pulled outward, the elasticity of the spring is weakened, so that the holder 24 can be raised, thus ensuring a space for replacing the cartridge 5. That is to say, when the lever 24a is pulled outward and raised, the holder 24 can be separated from the cartridge 5.

[0116] Then, when the external force pulling the lever 24a outward is removed, the elasticity of the spring is strengthened and it is pulled inward. Therefore, when the external force pulling the lever 24a outward is removed while it is being lowered, the holder 24 is connected to the cartridge 5, so that the cartridge 5 can be fixed.

[0117] In short, the holder 24 can be mounted to or separated from the cartridge 5 by the elastic force of the spring connected to the holder 24. In this case, since there is no need for a structure that applies pressure to each cartridge 5 so that the cartridge 5 is mounted, the volume increase due to the fixing structure of the cartridge 5 can be minimized. In other words, there is an advantage that the dispenser 1 can be miniaturized by this fixing structure of the cartridge 5, and thus the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0118] The user can separate the holder 24 from the cartridge 5 by pulling the lever 24a upward, and replace the cartridge 5 in this state. When the replacement of the cartridge 5 is completed, the user can mount the holder 24 to the cartridge 5 by pulling the lever 24a downward and then releasing the lever 24a.

[0119] However, during the process of replacing the cartridge 5, there may be a problem that the holder 24 is not fully mounted to the cartridge 5.

[0120] Figure 9 It is an exemplary diagram showing a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which the holder is not properly mounted on the cartridge.

[0121] As Figure 9 shown, due to reasons such as at least one of the plurality of holders 24 not being fully lowered, the holder 24 may not be properly mounted to the cartridge 5. Referring to Figure 9 it can be confirmed that one of the holders 24 is fully raised, and the other of the holders 24 is raised to about half of the maximum height.

[0122] If the retainer 24 is not properly installed on the cartridge 5, it is difficult for the user to recognize the problem until the dispensing operation is performed, and the dispensing operation may be performed abnormally in this state. As a result, the dispensing accuracy is reduced, and side effects such as having to discard the dispensed components may occur.

[0123] Therefore, the present disclosure can propose a structure for installing the retainer 24 that is not properly installed on the cartridge 5 onto the cartridge 5. The dispenser 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a retainer bracket 100 for properly installing the retainer 24 among a plurality of retainers 24 that is not installed on the cartridge 5.

[0124] Figure 10 is a front view showing the inside of a dispenser including a retainer bracket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the inside of a dispenser including a retainer bracket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the retainer bracket 100 may be installed in a form mounted on the upper surface of the housing 10.

[0126] According to another embodiment, as Figure 10 shown, the retainer bracket 100 may be installed on the main body 20. Specifically, the main body 20 includes a lower plate 20a and an upper plate 20b that support the power transmission shaft 23 and a plurality of columns 20c that support the upper plate 20b, and the retainer bracket 100 may be installed in a form mounted on the upper plate 20b.

[0127] The retainer bracket 100 may be formed with a protrusion 101 that applies pressure to the retainer 24 that is not installed on the cartridge 5. The protrusion 101 may be formed to protrude in the direction of the retainer 24. The retainer bracket 100 may be installed at a position where the protrusion 101 is spaced apart from the retainer 24 properly installed on the cartridge 5 by a set distance d. That is, the retainer bracket 100 may be installed to be spaced apart from the properly installed retainer by the set distance d. At this time, the set distance d may be about 1 mm to 5 mm, but this is only an example, and it is reasonable not to be limited thereto. Therefore, when the retainer 24 is properly installed on the cartridge 5, the retainer 24 may not contact the retainer bracket 100 when the installation body 21 rotates.

[0128] Meanwhile, when the retainer 24 is properly installed on the cartridge 5, the retainer 24 is lifted upward, so the retainer 24 may contact the retainer bracket 100 when the installation body 21 rotates. That is, when the installation body 21 rotates, the retainer bracket 100 may apply a downward pressure to the non-installed retainer 24. In particular, the protrusion 101 may press the retainer 24 not installed on the cartridge 5 toward the cartridge 5 to install it on the cartridge 5.

[0129] Moreover, at least one inclined surface 110, 120 may be formed on the lower portion of the retainer bracket 100.

[0130] First, a first inclined surface 110 may be formed on the lower portion of the retainer bracket 100. The first inclined surface 110 may be a surface that contacts an uninstalled retainer among a plurality of retainers 24 that rotate along the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21. The rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21 may mean the direction in which the dispenser 1 rotates when it operates in the discharge mode. The first inclined surface 110 may be a surface for pressing down an uninstalled retainer to install it onto the cartridge 5. The retainer 24 that is normally installed onto the cartridge 5 may not contact the first inclined surface 110.

[0131] The first inclined surface 110 may be formed to have a lower height along the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21. The first inclined surface 110 may be formed to narrow the distance from the retainer 24 that rotates along the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21.

[0132] The first inclined surface 110 may form a predetermined angle A with the rotation plane of the mounting body 21, and the angle A may be from 5 degrees to 85 degrees, but this is only an example and is not limited thereto.

[0133] A second inclined surface 120 may be further formed on the lower part of the retainer bracket 100. The second inclined surface 120 may be a surface for installing an uninstalled retainer onto the cartridge 5 when the mounting body 21 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction w1. Alternatively, the second inclined surface 120 may be a surface that reduces the collision that occurs when the uninstalled retainer collides with the retainer bracket 100 when the mounting body 21 rotates in a direction opposite to the rotation direction w1.

[0134] The second inclined surface 120 may be formed to have a higher height along the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21. The second inclined surface 120 may be formed to have a lower height along a direction opposite to the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21. The second inclined surface 120 may be formed to have a greater distance from the retainer 24 that rotates along the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21. The second inclined surface 120 may be formed to have a smaller distance from the retainer 24 that rotates along a direction opposite to the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21.

[0135] The second inclined surface 120 may be formed to have a predetermined angle with the rotation plane of the mounting body 21. The angle between the second inclined surface 120 and the rotation plane of the mounting body 21 may be the same as or different from the angle between the first inclined surface 110 and the rotation plane of the mounting body 21.

[0136] The second inclined surface 120 may be formed on the opposite side of the first inclined surface 110, with a protrusion 101 therebetween. That is, the protrusion 101 may be formed between the first inclined surface 110 and the second inclined surface 120.

[0137] Meanwhile, according to an embodiment, the second inclined surface 120 may be omitted.

[0138] At least one retainer bracket 100 may be provided in the dispenser 1. The dispenser 1 may include one or more retainer brackets 100.

[0139] In addition, the dispenser 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide a function for automatically checking whether the cartridge 5 is properly installed. That is, the dispenser 1 may provide a function for checking whether the retainer 24 is properly installed on the cartridge 5 and whether the cartridge 5 is properly installed.

[0140] According to one embodiment, the dispenser 1 may automatically perform an operation to check whether the retainer 24 is installed on the cartridge 5 when the cartridge 5 is replaced.

[0141] According to another embodiment, the dispenser 1 may perform an operation to check whether the retainer 24 is installed on the cartridge 5 when a check command is received through a user input.

[0142] Next, with reference to Figure 12 and Figure 13 , an operation method of the dispenser 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure for checking whether the retainer 24 is properly installed on the cartridge 5 will be described.

[0143] Figure 12 is a control block diagram for explaining an operation method of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0144] The dispenser 1 may include a main motor 30, a rotation detection sensor 98, a door sensor 99, and a controller 110. However, the above configuration is only some of the configurations for explaining the operation method of the dispenser 1 for checking whether the retainer 24 is properly installed on the cartridge 5, and naturally includes other configurations.

[0145] The main motor 30 may rotate the mounting body 21. In this regard, any description redundant with the above description will be omitted.

[0146] The rotation detection sensor 98 may detect whether the mounting body 21 rotates. For example, the rotation detection sensor 98 may be an optical sensor. The optical sensor includes a transmitter (not shown) that emits light and a receiver (not shown) that receives light, and thus may detect the light that is emitted and then returns after hitting an object. The controller 110 may obtain the movement, speed, position, etc. of the object based on the amount of light reflected and received by the optical sensor.

[0147] As Figure 10 shown, the rotation detection sensor 98 can be mounted on the lower plate 20a. At least one rotation detection lever B can be connected to the power transmission shaft 23. Therefore, when the mounting body 21 rotates, the rotation detection lever B can also rotate. When the mounting body 21 does not rotate, the rotation detection lever B can not rotate. The rotation detection lever B can be mounted to pass between the transmitter and the receiver of the rotation detection sensor 98 during rotation. The amount of light detected by the rotation detection sensor 98 can change according to whether the rotation detection lever B passes through. The controller 110 can obtain whether the rotation detection lever B passes through, that is, whether the rotation detection lever B rotates and whether the mounting body 21 rotates, by using the change in the amount of light detected by the rotation detection sensor 98.

[0148] Meanwhile, the light sensor is only an example, and the rotation detection sensor 98 can be a different type of sensor.

[0149] The door sensor 99 can detect whether the door D is open or closed. For example, the door sensor 99 can be a Hall sensor. The Hall sensor can obtain the direction and magnitude of a magnetic field by using the Hall effect. When a magnetic field is applied to a conductor through which an electric current flows, the Hall effect generates a voltage in a direction perpendicular to the current and the magnetic field. The Hall sensor can detect a change in the magnetic field that varies according to the open or closed state of the door D.

[0150] As Figure 10 shown, the door sensor 99 can be mounted on the upper surface of the lower plate 20a. The door sensor 99 can be mounted in a direction facing the door D. The controller 110 can determine whether the door D is open or closed based on the change in the magnetic field detected by the door sensor 99.

[0151] Meanwhile, the Hall sensor is only an example, and the door sensor 99 can be a different type of sensor.

[0152] The controller 110 can control each of the main motor 30, the rotation detection sensor 98, and the door sensor 99.

[0153] Figure 13 is a flowchart for explaining an operation method of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0154] The controller 110 can detect the opening S10 of the door D.

[0155] The opening of the door D can mean an event in which the door D switches from a closed state to an open state. The controller 110 can use the sensed value of the door sensor 99 to detect the switch of the door D from the closed state to the open state.

[0156] If the door D is opened, operations such as replacing the cartridge 5 can be performed.

[0157] If the opening of door D is detected, the controller 110 may detect whether door D is closed S20.

[0158] The closing of door D may mean an event in which door D switches from an open state to a closed state. The controller 110 may use the sensed value of the door sensor 99 to detect that door D has switched from an open state to a closed state.

[0159] When the closing of door D is detected, the controller 110 may cause the mounting body 21 to rotate at least once S30.

[0160] When door D is opened and then closed, the controller 110 may perform an automatic installation operation to normally install the uninstalled retainer.

[0161] Specifically, when the closing of door D is detected, there is a high possibility that the cartridge 5 replacement operation has been performed, so the controller 110 may perform an operation to automatically check whether the retainer 24 is installed on the cartridge 5.

[0162] The controller 110 may cause the mounting body 21 to rotate at least once to check whether the retainer 24 is installed on the cartridge 5. The mounting body 21 may perform an automatic installation operation to normally install the uninstalled retainer, and in this case, it may rotate at least once. That is, during the automatic installation operation, the mounting body 21 may rotate at least once.

[0163] When the mounting body 21 rotates, the retainer 24 normally installed on the cartridge 5 may pass under the retainer bracket 100. That is, the retainer 24 normally installed on the cartridge 5 may not contact the retainer bracket 100.

[0164] On the other hand, when the mounting body 21 rotates, the retainer not installed on the cartridge 5 may be installed on the cartridge 5 through at least one of the first inclined surface 110 or the protrusion 101 formed on the retainer bracket 100. That is, the retainer not installed on the cartridge 5 is pressed toward the cartridge 5 by contacting the retainer bracket 100, and thus can be installed on the cartridge 5.

[0165] At the same time, among the retainers not installed on the cartridge 5, there may be retainers that are not installed to the extent that they do not intersect the first inclined surface 110. Specifically, if at least a part of the retainer 24 is higher than the maximum height of the first inclined surface 110, it may get stuck on the retainer bracket 100 and interfere with the rotation of the mounting body 21. That is, in some cases, some of the uninstalled retainers do not contact the first inclined surface 110 during rotation, so the operation of automatically installing on the cartridge 5 cannot be performed.

[0166] In this way, if there is a retainer 24 remaining at a height higher than the maximum height of the first inclined surface 110, the mounting body 21 may not rotate properly. That is, since the retainer 24 is placed at a height higher than the maximum height of the first inclined surface 110, a rotation error may occur in the mounting body 21.

[0167] A rotation error in the mounting body 21 can mean an event where the mounting body 21 does not rotate despite the operation of the main motor 30. A rotation error in the mounting body 21 can mean a situation where the mounting body 21 stops during an automatic installation operation without rotating a set number of times.

[0168] The controller 110 can detect whether there is a rotation error S40 in the mounting body 21 by detecting whether the mounting body 21 rotates via the rotation detection sensor 98.

[0169] If the controller 110 determines via the rotation detection sensor 98 that the mounting body 21 does not rotate, the controller 110 can identify a rotation error of the mounting body 21.

[0170] If the controller 110 detects a rotation error of the mounting body 21, the controller 110 can output an alarm indicating a retainer installation failure and stop the automatic installation operation S50.

[0171] That is, if the controller 110 determines that the main motor 30 is operating but the mounting body 21 does not rotate, the controller 110 can output an alarm indicating a retainer installation failure and stop the operation of the main motor 30. If the mounting body 21 does not rotate, the controller 110 can output an alarm indicating a retainer installation failure and stop the automatic installation operation.

[0172] The controller 110 can output an alarm indicating a retainer installation failure through the display 6. Alternatively, the controller 110 can send an alarm indicating a retainer installation failure to the terminal 2.

[0173] In addition, the controller 110 can stop the main motor 30 because user operation is required to install the retainer 24 in the case of a rotation error of the mounting body 21. If the user operation is performed, the door D will open and close, and the controller 110 can output a retainer installation failure alarm, stop the operation, and then detect the opening of the door D again.

[0174] Meanwhile, if no rotation error of the mounting body 21 is detected, the controller 110 can prepare for operation in the discharge mode S60.

[0175] In summary, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the controller 110 can detect the open / closed state of the door D to obtain whether the cartridge 5 is being replaced. For example, if the controller 110 detects that the door D is opened and then closed, the controller 110 can identify that the cartridge 5 is being replaced.

[0176] If the controller 110 identifies that the cartridge 5 is being replaced, the controller 110 can perform an automatic installation operation. The controller 110 can rotate the installation body 21 at least once during the automatic installation operation. As the installation body 21 rotates, the retainer 24 can be installed onto the cartridge 5.

[0177] Meanwhile, the controller 110 can detect whether the installation body 21 rotates and obtain whether there is a retainer 24 that cannot be installed onto the cartridge 5 through the automatic installation operation. When there is a retainer 24 that cannot be installed onto the cartridge 5, the controller 110 can output an alarm to notify the user and can stop the main motor 30 so that the user can manually install the retainer 24 onto the cartridge 5.

[0178] In this way, the dispenser 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can provide the following functions: when there is a replacement task for the cartridge 5, check whether all cartridges 5 are properly installed, and automatically install the cartridges 5 that are not properly installed.

[0179] Reasonably, the products manufactured by the dispenser 1 are not limited to cosmetics, and the type of the products is not restricted.

[0180] The above description is only an example of the technical concept of the present invention, and those with ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can make various modifications and changes without departing from the basic features of the present invention.

[0181] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical concept of the present invention, but to explain the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments.

[0182] The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the appended claims, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dispenser, the dispenser comprising: A housing; A main motor disposed inside the housing; A mounting body rotatable by the main motor, equipped with a plurality of cartridges, and including a plurality of holders for fixing each of the plurality of cartridges; And A holder bracket for normally mounting the unmounted holders among the plurality of holders.

2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, Protrusions for applying pressure to the unmounted holders are formed in the holder bracket.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein At least one inclined surface is formed on the lower portion of the holder bracket.

4. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein, The height of the inclined surface decreases along the rotation direction of the mounting body.

5. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein, The holder bracket is mounted such that the inclined surface forms an angle of 5 degrees to 85 degrees with the rotation plane of the mounting body.

6. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, The holder bracket is mounted at a predetermined distance from the normally connected holders.

7. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, When performing an automatic mounting operation to normally mount the unmounted holders, the mounting body rotates at least once.

8. The dispenser according to claim 7, the dispenser further comprising a rotation detection sensor configured to detect whether the mounting body rotates, and If the mounting body does not rotate, the mounting body stops the automatic mounting operation.

9. The dispenser according to claim 8, the dispenser further comprising a rotation detection sensor configured to detect whether the mounting body rotates, and If the mounting body does not rotate, an alarm is output to indicate a defective holder mounting.

10. The dispenser according to claim 1, a door is formed on one side of the housing, and When the door is opened and then closed, an automatic mounting operation is performed to normally mount the unmounted holders.

11. The dispenser according to claim 10, the dispenser further comprising a door sensor for detecting whether the door is open or closed.

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