SPENDER

Description

SCOPE OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART

[0001] The invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing pharmaceutical or cosmetic media.

[0002] A dispenser of this type is used for dispensing media, in particular pharmaceutical liquids. It is known to equip such dispensers with evaluation units that use sensors to record the use of the dispenser, for example, to allow subsequent verification of whether a medication is being taken correctly and in accordance with a medication plan.

[0003] Known evaluation units are structurally integrated into the respective dispenser or are detachably attached to the dispenser, so that they can be detached from the dispenser and attached to another dispenser of the same type.

[0004] Detachable evaluation units require a coupling mechanism to attach them to the dispenser housing.

[0005] Documents WO 2014 / 004437 A1, US 2020 / 288788 A1, US 11 260 182 B2, US 2015 / 024335 A1 and KR 101 994 297 B1 disclose dispensers with magnetically coupled evaluation units. TASK AND SOLUTION

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide an evaluation unit for a dispenser that allows convenient handling during disassembly and assembly on a dispenser.

[0007] According to the invention, a dispenser for dispensing pharmaceutical or cosmetic products is proposed, which has an electronic evaluation unit. The invention also relates to the evaluation unit itself.

[0008] A dispenser according to the invention has a housing that forms the outer contour of the dispenser and can be made up of multiple parts. In particular, such a housing can have a storage body that forms the media storage and, in particular, a liquid storage reservoir in which the medium, especially a pharmaceutical liquid, is stored before dispensing.

[0009] The dispenser has a discharge opening through which media can be released from the media storage into the surrounding atmosphere.

[0010] Preferably, the dispenser is designed for dispensing liquid, particularly in the form of a jet, a spray, or individual droplets. However, the dispenser can also be designed for other media, in particular for dispensing powder for inhalation.

[0011] If the dispenser is designed as a liquid dispenser, it may be a pump dispenser, which has a manually operated pump that draws liquid from the reservoir to the dispensing opening. Alternatively, it may be a squeeze bottle dispenser, which has an elastically deformable reservoir that dispenses liquid by manually compressing it.

[0012] The dispenser can also be designed as an inhaler, in particular as a dispenser with a squeezable container for delivering a defined dose of the liquid. According to another example, the dispenser can be designed as a nasal dispenser, in particular with an elongated nasal applicator with the dispensing opening at its distal end.

[0013] The electronic evaluation unit is designed to record dispenser usage. For this purpose, it comprises electrical and / or electronic components, in particular a battery, a processor, and at least one sensor. The sensor records data that allows conclusions to be drawn about dispenser usage. The sensors can be designed to directly detect an external force, such as that applied when a handle is pressed to activate a pump. Preferably, however, at least one sensor is provided that can record data without contact and without external force; this sensor can be, in particular, a microphone and / or a motion sensor. For example, the output data from a microphone can be evaluated to detect characteristic sounds during use.

[0014] The evaluation unit preferably includes an output device, in particular in the form of at least one LED, a display, a vibrator and / or a loudspeaker, to send signals to the user, for example to convey the information that a discharge has been detected or is due according to the medication plan.

[0015] The evaluation unit is preferably designed to be used together with an external device, such as a smartphone. For communication with the external device, the evaluation unit preferably has a radio module, in particular a Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi radio module, or a GSM / 3G / 4G or 5G radio module.

[0016] To enable the evaluation unit to be quickly and easily detached from the dispenser housing and connected to a new dispenser, a magnetic or magnetizable mounting surface is provided on the outside of the dispenser housing, in particular on a storage element of the housing, according to the invention. Correspondingly, a contact surface of the evaluation unit is designed to be magnetic or magnetizable, so that the evaluation unit can be magnetically attached to the housing.

[0017] Attaching the evaluation unit is very simple and convenient thanks to the magnetic connection provided according to the invention. As soon as the evaluation unit is brought into the area of ​​the housing intended for its attachment, it is magnetically attracted and remains in the designated position on the dispenser housing.

[0018] In addition to ease of use, a suitable design, particularly with a sufficiently large mounting surface on the housing, ensures that the evaluation unit occupies a precise, predefined position. This is advantageous because this predefined position can be chosen to be particularly well-suited for detecting dispenser usage, especially via a motion sensor or microphone. This means that the data captured by the sensor, such as sounds during use, allows for a reliable conclusion regarding dispenser usage.

[0019] Preferably, the housing has a magnetizable, and in particular a metallic, mounting surface, while the evaluation unit has at least one permanent magnet; however, the reverse configuration is also possible. A design is also possible in which both the mounting surface and the magnetic design of the evaluation unit are implemented with permanent magnets.

[0020] Neodymium magnets are particularly suitable as permanent magnets, since such magnets provide a strong magnetic force and are therefore especially advantageous for the secure attachment of the evaluation unit to the housing of the dispenser.

[0021] The evaluation unit is preferably designed for detachable attachment to a lateral surface of the storage body of the housing. The storage body itself preferably has a cylindrical shape in the area of ​​the lateral surface, in particular with a circular or elliptical cross-section.

[0022] The outer surface of the storage body can be provided with a magnetic or magnetizable holding surface. Corresponding to the curved and circular or cylindrical segment-shaped outer surface, the magnetic or magnetizable holding surface is preferably also curved.

[0023] The evaluation unit preferably comprises an electronics housing, which forms the system side and within which the electronic components of the evaluation unit are arranged, in particular a processor, a memory, and a battery, as well as one or more sensors depending on the type of evaluation. This electronics housing does not completely surround the dispenser housing and, in particular, the memory element, but is preferably designed in a backpack-like fashion on one side of the memory element, so that the dispenser, including the evaluation unit, has an asymmetrical shape. In particular, and preferably, the electronics housing covers at most 50% of the circumferential surface of the memory element, and more preferably at most 40%.

[0024] The storage body preferably comprises plastic as its main material. The magnetic or magnetizable holding surface is preferably designed as a separate part, in particular as an at least partially metallic part, which is firmly attached to the outside of a plastic wall of the storage body. Corresponding to the aforementioned extent of the electronic housing, this holding surface also preferably surrounds the outer surface only partially, in particular to a maximum of 50%, and more preferably to a maximum of 40%.

[0025] The mounting surface provided on the housing can be provided in various ways. According to the invention, the mounting surface is located in the area of ​​a labeled tag. It can directly form the tag or be affixed to a housing surface by means of the tag. The tag can include the product name or a product description of the pharmaceutical or cosmetic product contained in the media storage unit. Alternatively, the tag can also contain instructions for use describing the installation of the evaluation unit. These instructions can also consist, for example, of a symbol that illustrates the installation.

[0026] In unclaimed embodiments, the holding surface can also be attached to the housing independently of the label by means of an adhesive bond. Unclaimed designs are also possible in which the holding surface is formed by a retaining sleeve or clamp that is clamped to the dispenser housing. Such a retaining sleeve or clamp can be made entirely or almost entirely of metal. However, it can also be made of plastic and have a magnetic or magnetizable insert.

[0027] According to a second, unclaimed aspect of the disclosure, an alternative design is proposed that allows for convenient attachment of the evaluation unit to the dispenser housing. According to this alternative design, the evaluation unit has at least two, and preferably at least three, elastically deflectable retaining arms that grip the housing and thus provide a clamping hold of the evaluation unit to the housing.

[0028] The retaining arms preferably extend in different directions from a housing of the evaluation unit around the dispenser housing. In their relaxed state, the retaining arms define a clear cross-section that is smaller than the cross-section of the housing and, in particular, the storage body, so that they are under elastic tension after being attached to the housing. To insert the housing into the clear cross-section, the retaining arms are preferably bent open. This can be done directly manually on the retaining arms or by means of gripping surfaces connected to the retaining arms, which, when force is applied, indirectly open the retaining arms and thereby increase the clear cross-section.

[0029] The support arms can be flexibly deflected, allowing coupling to storage bodies of different cross-sectional shapes and, in particular, different diameters.

[0030] The electronic evaluation unit is preferably designed for detachable attachment to a lateral surface of the storage body of the housing. The storage body itself preferably has a cylindrical shape in the area of ​​the lateral surface, in particular with a circular or elliptical cross-section.

[0031] The evaluation unit preferably comprises an electronics housing within which the electronic components of the evaluation unit are provided. From this electronics housing, the support arms preferably extend circumferentially around the lateral surface of the storage body, each supporting arm spanning an angular range of at least 120°. The support arms are rigidly attached to the aforementioned electronics housing at their respective roots and achieve their flexibility by being elastically deformable.

[0032] The individual retaining arms are preferably curved. In particular, they extend in a segment-shaped arc to encompass an approximately circular-cylindrical housing section, especially a correspondingly shaped storage body. The retaining arms preferably extend over an angular range of at least 120°, such that two retaining arms surrounding the housing in opposite directions encompass the housing by at least approximately 240°. The retaining arms do not completely surround the housing and, in particular, the storage body. Preferably, the retaining arms surround the housing or the storage body to a maximum of 75%, thus having a circumferential extent of a maximum of 270°.

[0033] The diameter of the base circle of the circular segment shape according to which the retaining arms are shaped is preferably between 10 mm and 25 mm.

[0034] The number of retaining arms is preferably at least three, wherein of these three retaining arms preferably two extend around the dispenser housing in a first direction of extension, while the third retaining arm is arranged between these two retaining arms and extends around the dispenser housing in the opposite direction of extension.

[0035] Regardless of the mounting method, whether magnetic or via the holding arms, the evaluation unit can have a housing that is non-modular and cannot be further disassembled by the user as intended. However, a particular embodiment of a dispenser and an evaluation unit according to the invention provides that the evaluation unit comprises a mounting unit and an electronics unit, which are separate components.

[0036] The mounting unit is designed for detachable attachment to the housing and features the described magnetic or magnetizable design and / or the described retaining arms for this purpose. The detachable electronic unit is designed for detachable attachment to the mounting unit. The electronic unit preferably comprises all the electronic components of the evaluation unit, but at least the battery, the processor, and at least one sensor.

[0037] The division of the evaluation unit into two parts allows the electronic unit to be used with different mounting units, for example, those for magnetic attachment to the dispenser housing and those for attachment to the dispenser housing with the holding arms described above.

[0038] The same electronic unit can therefore be configured with different mounting units for attachment to many different dispensers.

[0039] The ability to separate the mounting unit and the electronics unit and reassemble them in a different configuration is not necessarily required for the end user. This modularity can also be used to equip standardized electronics units with suitable mounting units as needed during manufacturing and distribution, and, if necessary, to permanently connect them.

[0040] It is particularly preferred, however, if the mounting unit is designed for tool-free attachment to the electronic unit, thus allowing the end user to replace the mounting unit themselves. In particular, for this purpose, the electronic unit may be magnetically attached to the mounting unit or secured to the mounting unit by a snap-fit ​​mechanism with an elastically deflectable locking tab.

[0041] The mounting unit is preferably free of electronic components. However, it can also be a carrier of sensors and / or have an electronically readable identification feature, for example, an identification feature stored in an RFID chip of the mounting unit and readable by a sensor of the electronic unit. This allows for logging of which mounting unit the electronic unit is connected to.

[0042] It is particularly preferred if the electronic evaluation unit has a mounting side which, in the installed state of the evaluation unit, points towards the housing, wherein at least two mounting ribs parallel to each other are provided on the mounting side for mounting on the housing.

[0043] Preferably, the ribs consist of exactly two or three parallel contact ribs, whereby the individual contact ribs may also be interrupted and may consist of aligned rib segments. The ribs form raised areas for contact with the housing. The ribs preferably have a length between 10 mm and 30 mm. The width of the ribs is preferably 5 mm or less, particularly preferably 3 mm or less. On their side facing the housing, the ribs are preferably provided with a rounded edge.

[0044] A recessed intermediate section is provided between the at least two contact ribs, separating them from each other. Within this intermediate section, the contact side of the evaluation unit is recessed so that it does not touch the dispenser housing. The contact between the contact side and the dispenser housing is therefore limited to the at least two contact ribs.

[0045] An evaluation unit with such contact ribs ensures secure contact with the dispenser housing, as the contact force is applied within defined contact areas. Furthermore, the contact ribs allow for contact with housings of varying dimensions and, in particular, storage bodies with differently curved outer contours.

[0046] The radii of curvature covered by such outer contours depend on the geometry of the contact surface. A preferred design features a minimum spacing of 8 mm between the contact ribs, with the ribs preferably rising at least 1 mm, and more preferably at least 1.5 mm, above the contact surface in this intermediate area. Two contact ribs, separated by an 8 mm gap recessed by 1 mm, can be attached to housing sections with a radius of curvature greater than 10 mm without the housing section coming into contact with the contact surface outside of the contact ribs. With an 8 mm gap recessed by 1.5 mm, attachment is possible up to a radius of curvature of approximately 6 mm.

[0047] One or more of the contact ribs can be attached to a flexible arm, in particular a arm in the form of a plastic tongue cut free on three sides, which allows for spring-like behavior orthogonal to the contact side. It can also be provided that one or more, but not all, of the contact ribs are deflectable in this way, while at least one contact rib is fixed and non-deflectionable at the contact side of the evaluation unit. One possible configuration, for example, provides for three contact ribs, one or two of which are each attached to a flexible arm, while the third contact rib is fixed at the contact side. A rib design with two contact ribs, both of which are deflectable, can also be advantageous.

[0048] The design with contact ribs can be particularly advantageous in the context of the magnetic attachment of the evaluation unit to the housing. The direction of extension of the contact ribs defines a displacement direction in which the evaluation unit can be moved relative to the housing to separate it from the housing.

[0049] This document describes not only the dispenser and the evaluation unit as a whole, but also the isolated evaluation unit, which is designed for detachable attachment to a dispenser in the manner described above to record the use of the dispenser, in particular by using a microphone and / or a motion sensor.

[0050] To be attached to the housing of a dispenser in the manner described above, the evaluation unit, according to a first design, is magnetic or magnetizable on one side. In particular, at least one permanent magnet, especially a neodymium magnet, can be provided on the side facing the dispenser.

[0051] According to a second embodiment, the evaluation unit has at least two and preferably at least three elastically deflectable retaining arms that can grip the housing, in particular a storage body of the housing, as intended, and thus provide a clamping hold of the evaluation unit on the housing.

[0052] The evaluation unit can be modularly designed as described above and include a mounting unit and an electronics unit. The mounting unit is designed for detachable attachment to the housing and is magnetic or magnetizable on the system side. The electronics unit is designed for detachable attachment to the mounting unit and preferably comprises all the electrical / electronic components of the evaluation unit.

[0053] Preferably, the evaluation unit can comprise several interchangeable mounting units that are adapted to different types of dispenser housings and that can be optionally coupled to the electronic unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments, which are explained below with reference to the figures. Figs. 1 and 2 They show, as an example, a liquid dispenser with an evaluation unit. Figs. 3 to 5 Illustrating a first, inventive configuration of the design of a magnetic connection between the evaluation unit and a housing of the liquid dispenser. Figs. 6 to 8 illustrate a second, unclaimed configuration of the design of a magnetic connection between the evaluation unit and a housing of the liquid dispenser. Figs. 9 to 11 Illustrate an unclaimed embodiment of a connection between the evaluation unit and a housing of the liquid dispenser by means of retaining arms provided on the evaluation unit. Figs. 12 to 15show a possible modular design of the evaluation unit with a mounting unit and an electronics unit as well as coupling means for coupling the electronics unit to the mounting unit. Figs. 16 to 18 illustrates an initial configuration of system ribs on one side of the evaluation unit. Figs. 19 to 21 illustrates an initial configuration of system ribs on one side of the evaluation unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION EXAMPLES

[0055] Figs. 1 and 2Figure 1 shows a dispenser 10 designed for dispensing pharmaceutical liquids. The liquid dispenser 10 is exemplified as a nasal dispenser and has an applicator section with an elongated nasal applicator 13, at the distal end of which a dispensing opening 16 is provided. However, this specific dispenser type is only an example. The invention also encompasses other dispensers for pharmaceutical or cosmetic media, and in particular liquids, especially pharmaceutical dispensers designed for the oral or topical delivery of medications.

[0056] By pressing down the applicator part against a liquid reservoir 14 or the storage body 18 forming the liquid reservoir, a pumping device 30 can be actuated, which pumps liquid from the liquid reservoir 14 to the discharge opening 16.

[0057] In a dispenser 10 according to the invention, the user's use of the dispenser 10 is electronically recorded. For this purpose, an electronic evaluation unit 40 is provided. In the present example, this unit comprises a battery 25, a display unit 24, a circuit board with a processor 28, operating elements 27, and various sensors 26A to 26C.

[0058] The sensors 26A-26C can, in particular, include a motion sensor that detects the orientation of the dispenser and / or accelerations. Furthermore, the sensors 26A-26C can include a microphone that detects noises occurring during the handling of the dispenser 10. The evaluation of the recorded data is carried out either directly by the processor 28 or wholly or partially on an external system that is connected to the evaluation unit 40 via a wireless interface.

[0059] For example, the processor 28 can be configured to activate the microphone when the motion sensor detects movement of the dispenser 10. The microphone can detect sounds, particularly those transmitted through the dispenser housing 12. Specifically, the different phases of a pumping process—the dispensing of liquid from a pump chamber and the subsequent drawing of liquid from the media reservoir 14 into the pump chamber—are accompanied by characteristic sounds that are easily distinguishable from one another.

[0060] The evaluation unit 40 is attached to a lateral surface 19 of the storage body 18 of the dispenser housing 12. The storage body 18 has a cylindrical basic shape, in this case a circular cylindrical basic shape.

[0061] The evaluation unit 40 does not surround the storage body 18, but is positioned like a backpack on one side, giving the dispenser an asymmetrical overall shape. The evaluation unit, or rather the electronic housing 41 that forms its main component, covers only a comparatively small portion of the surface area, approximately 90° or one-quarter of the circumference.

[0062] Two fastening principles are proposed for attaching the evaluation unit 40 to the storage body 18, which are based on the Figs. 3 to 8 or based on the Figs. 9 to 11 will be presented.

[0063] In the design of the Figs. 3 to 8 The evaluation unit 40 is provided to be magnetically attached to the storage body 18.

[0064] Fig. 3Figure 1 shows the storage body 18 of the dispenser 10, which is provided with a label 72 that may contain, for example, the product name or product details, or handling instructions for attaching the evaluation unit 40. According to the invention, a magnetic or magnetizable holding surface 70 is integrated into or covered by the label 72. In particular, this can be a rectangular section of metallic sheet metal.

[0065] As in Fig. 4 As shown, a permanent magnet 43 is provided on a corresponding side 42 of the evaluation unit 40. The shape and size of the holding surface 70 and the permanent magnet 43 are preferably matched such that the evaluation unit 40 is held in a defined position on the storage body 18. The connected state is described in Fig. 5 depicted.

[0066] Fig. 6Figure 1 shows a design in which a retaining sleeve 74 is provided which is designed to be magnetizable completely or at least in the area of ​​a retaining surface 70. This retaining sleeve 74 is designed as a slotted sleeve and can be magnetized in the Fig. 7 as illustrated, the retaining sleeve 74 is pushed onto the storage body 18, wherein the inner diameter of the retaining sleeve 74 is adapted to the outer diameter of the storage body 18 in such a way that the retaining sleeve 74 is elastically expanded after being pushed onto the storage body 18 and thereby clamps onto the storage body 18.

[0067] The holding surface 70, as part of the holding sleeve, allows in the Fig. 8 Weise illustrated the magnetic attachment of the evaluation unit 40.

[0068] The Figs. 9 to 11 show another form of attachment of an evaluation unit 40 to the storage body 18. As shown by the Fig. 9As can be seen, this design provides for a total of three retaining arms 80, 82 on the housing of the evaluation unit, each having a curved shape and together surrounding an area for receiving the storage body 18. The retaining arms 80, 82 are fixedly attached to the electronics housing 41 at their base.

[0069] The upper and lower retaining arms 80 extend counterclockwise from the housing of the evaluation unit 40. The intermediate retaining arm 82 extends clockwise around the housing of the evaluation unit 40.

[0070] In the inappropriate state of Fig. 9The retaining arms 80, 82 are not elastically deflected. However, when the storage body 18 is inserted into the area surrounded by the retaining arms, the retaining arms are slightly forced apart so that they clamp against the outside of the storage body, thus creating a secure connection. The assembled state is shown in Fig. 10 depicted.

[0071] Fig. 11 This illustrates how the evaluation unit can be attached to housings of 12 different diameters. The left illustration of the Fig. 11 The image shows evaluation unit 40 in its unused state. The middle representation of the Fig. 11 The evaluation unit 40 is shown after coupling to a housing 12, the outer diameter of which is only slightly larger than the resting position of the retaining arms 80, 82. The retaining arms 80, 82 are thus elastically deflected outwards and clamp the storage body 18. The illustration on the right in Fig. 11Figure 1 shows the use of the evaluation unit 40 with a significantly larger housing 12. The retaining arms 80, 82 are considerably wider here. As a result, they do not lie against the outside of the housing 12 along their entire length. However, since the deflection and the associated restoring force are considerably greater, a secure hold is still achieved even with this housing 12.

[0072] The Figs. 12 to 15 This illustrates the possibility of designing the evaluation unit 40 modularly. The system side 12 of the evaluation unit 40 can be configured in a manner not shown in detail, according to the Figs. 3 to 8 be designed to be magnetic or magnetizable, or with holding arms according to the Figs. 9 to 11 be provided.

[0073] As shown by the Fig. 12To clarify, in such cases the evaluation unit 40 is subdivided into a mounting unit 40A, on which the system side 42 is provided, and an electronic unit 40B, which comprises the majority of the electrical / electronic components, preferably all of the electronic components. However, it may be provided that the mounting unit 40A has an electronic identification means such as an RFID chip 41, so that the electronic unit 40B can recognize whether it is connected to a mounting unit 40A and, if so, which mounting unit 40A it is connected to.

[0074] The subunits 40A and 40B are preferably connectable without tools. In the design of the Fig. 13The two sub-units are connected by magnetic or magnetizable coupling surfaces 94A, 94B. With this design, it is possible to provide a common magnet on the mounting unit 40A, which serves for coupling to the housing 12 as well as to the electronic unit 40B.

[0075] In the design of the Fig. 13 Locking tabs 90A are provided on the fastening unit 40A, which engage in locking openings 90B on the electronic unit 40B. Preferably, the locking tabs 90A are designed differently from the design of the Fig. 20 The connection can be manually deflected to allow for disconnection. However, it may also be intended that the connection between the electronic unit 40B and the mounting unit 40A is permanently fixed, so that such coupling is only possible once, particularly if a specific mounting unit 40A is already specified during the manufacturing process.

[0076] In the design of the Fig. 14 Screw holes 92A and 92B are provided on the electronics unit 40B and the mounting unit 40A, through which the two sub-units can be screwed together. This type of connection is not normally intended to be disconnected by the end user, but serves the purpose of permanently connecting a single electronics unit 40B to a mounting unit 40A during the manufacturing process.

[0077] The Figs. 16 to 21 This illustrates that it can be advantageous if the evaluation unit 40 or its mounting unit 40A is provided with contact ribs 44. These are intended for mounting on the housing 12 or the retaining sleeve 74.

[0078] The Figs. 16 to 21 show a first configuration of the 44-rib system. Fig. 16The reverse side of the evaluation unit 40 is shown. This reverse side forms a mounting surface 42, with two parallel mounting ribs 44 fixed to each other on the mounting surface 42. A recessed intermediate area is provided between the two mounting ribs 44, in which a permanent magnet 43 is attached. As can be seen from the Fig. 17 As can be seen, the mounting ribs 44 allow the unit to rest against dispenser housings 12 with different radii of curvature. The same evaluation unit 40 or the same mounting unit 40A of the evaluation unit 40 can therefore be used equally well for different dispensers 10.

[0079] Fig. 18Figure 46 further clarifies the geometry of the mounting surface 42. It can be seen that this surface has a generally curved, concave shape and that the two mounting ribs 44 rise above this curved, concave shape. The distance 46A corresponds to the width of the intermediate area. This distance is less than the diameter of the storage body 18 to fulfill the rib function. Preferably, it is a maximum of 80% of the diameter, based on the horizontal diameter in the orientation of the Fig. 17 .

[0080] The distance 46B indicates the maximum distance the intermediate area is set back from the contact ribs 44. Since the permanent magnet 43 is also located in this intermediate area, it is positioned slightly away from the outer surface of the dispenser housing 12 due to the contact ribs 44. However, if sufficiently strong magnets are selected, particularly neodymium magnets, this distance does not impede a sufficient holding force.

[0081] The Figs. 19 to 21 show a second configuration of support ribs 44. As shown by the Fig. 19 As can be seen, the mounting side 42 is provided with a total of three mounting ribs 44. A central mounting rib 44 is fixedly connected to the housing of the evaluation unit 40 and cannot be deflected relative to it to any significant degree. Two lateral mounting ribs 44, on the other hand, are provided by extensions 50, each consisting of two aligned rib segments, which in turn are each provided on an extension 50. The two outer mounting ribs can therefore be deflected resiliently.

[0082] The arms 50 allow the outer contact ribs 44 to be displaced relative to each other against the spring force of the arms 50. This ensures that, despite the three contact ribs in total, all contact ribs bear against the dispenser housing 12 when using the evaluation unit 40 with different dispenser housings 12 or storage bodies 18. With dispenser housings 12 / storage bodies 18 having larger diameters, the arms 50 are deflected elastically.

Claims

1. Dispenser (10) for the discharge of pharmaceutical or cosmetic media, with the following features: a. the dispenser (10) has a housing (12), and b. the dispenser (10) has a medium reservoir (14), and c. the dispenser (10) has a discharge opening (16), through which medium can be discharged from the medium reservoir (14) into a surrounding atmosphere, and d. the dispenser (10) has an electronic evaluation unit (40) for detecting the use of the dispenser, and e. the electronic evaluation unit (40) is designed for releasable attachment to the housing (12) of the dispenser (10), and f. a magnetic or magnetizable holding surface (70) is provided on the outer side of the housing (12), in particular on a reservoir body (18) of the housing (12), and g. a contact side (42) of the evaluation unit (40) is of corresponding magnetic or magnetizable design to this end, such that the evaluation unit (40) can be magnetically fastened to the housing (12), characterized by the following further feature: h. the magnetic or magnetizable holding surface (70) is covered by an label (72) with an inscription or integrated into an label with an inscription.

2. Dispenser (10) according to Claim 1, with the following further feature: a. the electronic evaluation unit (40) is provided for releasable attachment to a lateral surface (19) of the reservoir body (18) of the housing, wherein the outer side on the reservoir body (18) is provided with the magnetic or magnetizable holding surface (70), and wherein the lateral surface (19) is preferably a circular-cylindrical lateral surface (19).

3. Dispenser (10) according to Claim 2, with the following further feature: a. the outer side of the reservoir body (18) and the magnetic or magnetizable holding surface (70) have a curved shape.

4. Dispenser (10) according to Claim 2 or 3, with the following further features: a. the evaluation unit (40) has an electronics housing (41), within which the electronic components of the evaluation unit (40) are arranged, and b. the electronics housing (41) covers at most 50% of the lateral surface of the reservoir body, preferably at most 40%, in the circumferential direction.

5. Dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with the following further features: a. the reservoir body (18) is primarily manufactured from plastic, and b. the magnetic or magnetizable holding surface (70) is fixedly attached on the outside to a plastic wall of the reservoir body (18).

6. Dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with at least one of the following further features: a. the inscription comprises a product designation and / or a product description, and / or b. the inscription comprises handling instructions relating to the attachment of the evaluation unit.

7. Dispenser (10) according to Claim 1 or 6, with the following further feature: a. the magnetic or magnetizable holding surface (70) is formed by a holding sleeve (74) or holding clamp fastened in a clamping manner to the housing.

8. Dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with the following further feature: a. the magnetic or magnetizable holding surface (70) is adhesively fastened to the housing.

9. Dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with the following further features: a. the evaluation unit (40) comprises a fastening unit (40A) and an electronics unit (40B), and b. the fastening unit (40A) is designed for releasable attachment to the housing (12), and c. the electronics unit (40B) is provided for releasable attachment to the fastening unit (40A).

10. Dispenser (10) according to Claim 9, with at least one of the following additional features: a. the fastening unit (40A) is designed for the releasable attachment to the housing (12) without tools, and / or b. the electronics unit (40B) is fastened magnetically to the fastening unit (40A), and / or c. the electronics unit (40B) is fastened to the fastening unit (40A) by means of a latching mechanism having an elastically deflectable latching lug (90), and / or d. the fastening unit (40A) has an identification feature, in particular stored in an RFID chip of the fastening unit, which can be read out by a sensor (26B) of the electronics unit (40B).

11. Dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with the following features: a. the electronic evaluation unit (40) has a contact side (42) which, in the attached state of the evaluation unit (40), points in the direction of the housing (12), and b. the electronic evaluation unit (40) has, on the contact side (42), two mutually parallel contact ribs (44) for bearing against the housing (12), in particular for bearing against a reservoir body (18) of the medium reservoir (14).

12. Dispenser (10) according to Claim 11, with at least one of the following further features: a. the ribs (44) are at a distance (46A) from one another of at least 8 mm, and / or b. the ribs (44) rise up with respect to an intermediate region (48) lying between them by a distance (46B) of at least 1,5 mm, and / or c. at least one rib (44) is attached to an elastic bracket (50), and / or d. at least one rib (44) is formed by a number of rib segments which are aligned with one another and are preferably each provided on an elastic bracket (50).

13. Dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with at least one of the following further features: a. the evaluation unit (40) comprises at least one sensor (26A, 26B, 26C), in particular a movement sensor (26A) and / or a microphone (26C), and / or b. the evaluation unit (40) comprises an output device (24), in particular in the form of at least one LED, a display (24), a vibrator and / or a loudspeaker, c. the evaluation unit comprises a radio module (22), in particular a Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi radio module (22), and / or d. the evaluation unit comprises an energy source (25), in particular in the form of a battery.

14. Dispenser (10) according to one of the preceding claims, with the following further feature: a. the dispenser (10) is designed as a liquid dispenser (10), wherein the medium reservoir (14) is designed as a liquid reservoir (14), in particular with at least one of the following additional features: b. the dispenser is designed as a squeeze bottle dispenser and has an elastically deformable reservoir body of the liquid reservoir, by means of the manual compression of which liquid can be discharged, or c. the dispenser (10) is designed as a pump dispenser which has a manually actuable pump device (30) which conveys liquid from the liquid reservoir (14) to the discharge opening (16), and / or d. the dispenser (10) is designed as a spray dispenser, and / or e. the dispenser is designed as an inhaler, in particular as a dispenser with a container which can be depressed for dispensing a dose of the liquid, f. the dispenser is designed as a droplet dispenser, in particular with a droplet formation surface surrounding the discharge opening, and / or g. the dispenser is designed as a nasal dispenser, in particular with an elongate nasal applicator, at the distal end of which the discharge opening is provided.