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 that is rotated by the main motor and includes a plurality of holders to which a plurality of cartridges are attached and which fix each of the plurality of cartridges, and a holder bracket for properly fastening a holder among the plurality of holders that is not fastened to a cartridge.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY The present disclosure relates to dispensers for dispensing cosmetic products such as foundation, stain, and the like, and methods of operation thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] Recently, with the development of the beauty industry, the variety of cosmetics has become very diverse. However, since each user has different skin characteristics, hair characteristics, etc., there is a limit to providing cosmetics that suit each user. Therefore, dispensers that provide each user with cosmetics that suit each user have been developed.

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

[0004] The dispenser can provide such cosmetics to users by manufacturing them according to the preferences, tastes, etc. of each individual user. For example, the dispenser can dispense a variety of compositions so that a user can receive cosmetics that cover the skin or dye hair in a desired color.

[0005] Such dispensers are equipped with cartridges containing various compositions, which must be replaced by the user when they expire or when their contents are exhausted.

[0006] That is, the user has to manually install or replace the cartridge, but at this time, there is a possibility that the cartridge may not be properly installed in the dispenser due to a mistake. If the cartridge is not properly installed in the designated position, a discharge error occurs.

[0007] Therefore, when a cartridge replacement operation is required, a method is required to check in advance whether the cartridge is properly installed. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] The present disclosure seeks to provide a dispenser that verifies whether a cartridge is properly fastened.

[0009] The present disclosure seeks to provide a dispenser that performs an automatic fastening operation to properly fasten an unfastened cartridge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housing, a main motor disposed inside the housing, a mounting body that is rotated by the main motor and includes a plurality of holders to which a plurality of cartridges are attached and which fix each of the plurality of cartridges, and a holder bracket for properly fastening a holder among the plurality of holders that is not fastened to a cartridge.

[0011] The holder bracket may be formed with a protrusion that applies pressure to the unfastened holder.

[0012] The holder bracket may have at least one inclined surface formed on a lower portion thereof.

[0013] The inclined surface may decrease in height along the direction of rotation of the mounting body.

[0014] The holder bracket may be installed so that the inclined surface forms an angle of 5 to 85 degrees with the rotation plane of the mounting body.

[0015] The holder bracket may be installed to be spaced a predetermined distance from the normally fastened holder.

[0016] The mounting body can rotate at least one time when performing an automatic fastening operation to properly fasten an unfastened holder.

[0017] The dispenser may further include a rotation sensor that detects whether the mounting body is rotating, and may stop the automatic fastening operation when the mounting body is not rotating.

[0018] The dispenser further includes a rotation sensor that detects whether the mounting body is rotating, and if the mounting body is not rotating, an alarm may be output to notify of a failure in fastening the holder.

[0019] A door is formed on one side of the housing, and when the door is opened and then closed, an automatic fastening operation can be performed to properly fasten the unfastened holder.

[0020] The dispenser may further include a door sensor that senses whether the door is open or closed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if it is estimated that a cartridge replacement operation has been performed, an operation to automatically check whether the cartridge is installed or not is performed, which has the advantage of minimizing problems such as ejection errors due to improper installation of the cartridge.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, if the holder that secures the cartridge is not fastened to the cartridge, it is automatically fastened by the holder bracket, which has the advantage of minimizing the inconvenience of the user having to fasten the holder to the cartridge every time.

[0023] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, when automatic fastening is difficult, an alarm is generated and the automatic fastening operation is stopped, thereby advantageously preventing problems from occurring in advance. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cosmetics providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view illustrating the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 2 with the containing body separated therefrom; FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating the interior of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is a side view of a portion of a cartridge and an elevator body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is a front view of a part of a cartridge, an elevator body, and an elevator motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the rotation path of a cartridge and an elevator motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram illustrating multiple cartridges and mounting bodies according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 10 is an exemplary view showing a state in which a holder is not properly attached to a cartridge in a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 is a front view illustrating the interior of a dispenser including a holder bracket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 is a perspective view illustrating the interior of a dispenser including a holder bracket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a control block diagram for explaining an operation method of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operation of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar components will be designated by the same reference numerals regardless of the drawing numbers, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0026] The suffixes "module" and "section" used in the following description for components are given or mixed together to facilitate the writing of the specification and do not have any mutually distinguishing meanings or roles in themselves.

[0027] Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments disclosed herein, if it is determined that a detailed description of the related publicly known technology would hinder understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description will be omitted. Furthermore, the attached drawings are provided to facilitate understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and the technical ideas disclosed herein should not be limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives included within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0028] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

[0029] The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0030] In this application, the use of terms such as "comprises" or "having" is intended to specify the presence of any features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof set forth in the specification, but is not to be understood as precluding the possible presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0031] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a cosmetics providing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] A cosmetics 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. The dispenser 1, the terminal 2, and the sensor 3 can communicate with each other to send and receive signals.

[0033] The dispenser 1 contains a plurality of compositions and is capable of dispensing at least one composition to provide a cosmetic product upon receiving a manufacturing command.

[0034] Here, the term "composition" may refer to ingredients used in the manufacture of cosmetics, such as foundation, dye, etc. The composition may include raw materials, compounds, etc. used in the manufacture of cosmetics.

[0035] A cosmetic product can refer to a product that is provided with at least one composition dispensed.

[0036] For example, if the dispenser 1 is a device for dispensing a dye, the composition may refer to the dyeing material. The dyeing material may include both chemical and natural ingredients, such as oxidation dyes that produce hues, natural dyes, oxidizing agents, alkalis, and auxiliary ingredients for protecting hair. For example, oxidation dyes may include paraphenylenediamine that produces black, paratolylenediamine that produces dark brown, and mononitrophenylenediamine that produces red. Oxidizing agents may include hydrogen peroxide, urea peroxide, sodium perborate, and the like. Alkalines may include ammonia, surfactants, monoethanolamine, and the like.

[0037] The dyeing materials may also include acid dyes, basic dyes, HC dyes, direct dyes, bleaching agents, and the like.

[0038] The composition may be a compound that combines two or more chemical components, a compound that combines two or more natural components, or a compound that combines one or more chemical components with one or more natural components.

[0039] The cosmetic product is provided by discharging at least one of the above-mentioned compositions so as to be suitable for use on the user's skin or hair, and is manufactured by discharging any one of the multiple compositions, or by discharging two or more of the multiple compositions.

[0040] The terminal 2 may receive a command to select a target color from a user. The terminal 2 may display at least one sample color and receive a command to select the target color through a command to select one of the displayed sample colors. The selected color from the sample colors may be the target color.

[0041] Here, the sample hue may refer to an example hue that preliminarily represents the skin or hair hue that is expected to develop by using the cosmetic product, and the target hue may be a hue selected by the user to be developed by the cosmetic product to be manufactured.

[0042] The terminal 2 is capable of wired / wireless communication and is a device having a display and an input unit, and may include a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a smart watch, a tablet, a PC (Personal Computer), etc., but these are merely examples and are not limited thereto.

[0043] Meanwhile, although the dispenser 1 and the terminal 2 are shown as separate units in FIG. 1, the dispenser 1 and the terminal 2 may be integrally formed.

[0044] The sensor 3 can measure the skin color or hair color targeted for cosmetic application. The sensor 3 may be a separate device separate from the dispenser 1 or the terminal 2, or may be a component of the dispenser 1 or the terminal 2.

[0045] The sensor 3 can measure the current color of the skin or hair before the cosmetic product is applied or the result color of the skin or hair after the cosmetic product is applied. The sensor 3 can also measure the color of the skin or hair while the cosmetic product is being applied.

[0046] The sensor 3 may be a spectrophotometer, i.e., the sensor 3 can measure the color of the skin or hair by contacting the skin or hair or determining the values ​​of three attributes of the skin or hair at a position adjacent to the skin or hair.

[0047] In a cosmetics provision system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sensor 3 measures the current color of hair and transmits the current color information to a dispenser 1, and a terminal 2 receives a command to select a target color and then transmits the target color information to the dispenser 1. Upon receiving the current color information from the sensor 3 and the target color information from the terminal 2, the dispenser 1 calculates a cosmetics manufacturing method for changing the color of the skin or hair from the current color to the target color, and dispenses a composition according to the calculated cosmetics manufacturing method to provide the cosmetics.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dispenser shown in FIG. 2 with the containing body separated, and FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the interior of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] The dispenser 1 may include at least a part or all of a housing 10, a plurality of cartridges 5 arranged inside the housing 10 and containing compositions, a main body 20 in which the plurality of cartridges 5 are rotatably arranged, a main motor 30 that rotates the plurality of cartridges 5, an elevator motor 61 that is driven when the compositions contained in the plurality of cartridges 5 are ejected, and a storage body 40 in which cosmetics made from the compositions ejected from at least one of the plurality of cartridges 5 are provided.

[0050] The housing 10 can protect the components housed inside the dispenser 1. Inside the dispenser 1, a plurality of cartridges 5, a main body 20, a main motor 30, an elevator motor 61, a housing body 40, etc. are arranged.

[0051] The housing 10 may have a hexahedral shape with a space formed inside, and preferably has a rectangular or regular hexahedral shape with each face being a square, but this is merely an example and is not intended to be limiting.

[0052] A display 6 is formed on the front surface of the housing 10. The display 6 can display various information related to the provision of cosmetics.

[0053] The receiving body 40 can be attached to or detached from the housing 10 through the front surface of the housing 10. The receiving body 40 can be attached to or detached from the housing 10.

[0054] The housing 10 may have a door D. The door D may be formed on any one of the rear surface (opposite the front surface), side surface, and top surface of the housing 10.

[0055] The door D is opened and closed when at least one cartridge 5 housed inside the housing 10 is replaced.

[0056] The cross-sectional area of ​​the door D may be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​one cartridge 5. This allows each of the multiple cartridges 5 to pass through the door D, and the user can easily replace the cartridges 5 through the door D.

[0057] The shape of the housing 10 shown in the drawings is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0058] The housing 10 has a housing body space 9 in which the housing body 40 is placed. The housing body 40 is attached to the housing 10 by being placed in the housing body space 9, or detached from the housing 10 by being separated from the housing body space 9. The housing body space 9 may be a passage through which the cosmetic product made of the composition discharged from the multiple cartridges 5 is provided to the outside.

[0059] A user can place the accommodating body 40 inside the housing 10 or take it out through the accommodating body space 9 .

[0060] In the storage body 40, a basket 7 is arranged in which compositions discharged from the plurality of cartridges 5 are stored.

[0061] The basket 7 can be placed inside the containing body 40 or can be separated from the containing body 40 .

[0062] In this case, the user can easily receive cosmetics through the basket 7, and the storage body 40 separated from the housing 10 can be easily washed, which is advantageous.

[0063] Meanwhile, although the housing body space 9 and the display 6 are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 as being formed on the same surface of the housing 10, depending on the embodiment, the housing body space 9 and the display 6 may each be formed on a different surface of the housing 10.

[0064] As shown in Figure 4, inside the housing 10 are arranged a plurality of cartridges 5, a mounting body 21 to which each of the plurality of cartridges 5 is attached, a support body 22 that supports the mounting body 21, a main body 20 that supports at least one of the mounting body 21 and the support body 22, a main motor 30 that rotates the mounting body 21, an elevator body 65 (see Figure 5) that moves up and down to eject a composition from one of the plurality of cartridges 5, and an elevator motor 61 that drives the elevator body 65.

[0065] The mounting body 21 has a circular outer periphery, and multiple cartridges 5 are mounted thereon. The multiple cartridges 5 are mounted interchangeably in the mounting body 21. The mounting body 21 is formed with multiple mounting holes h1 (see FIG. 8) spaced apart along a circle, into which each of the multiple cartridges 5 is mounted. Each of the multiple cartridges 5 is disposed to pass through each of the multiple mounting holes h1. In particular, each of the multiple cartridges 5 is disposed so that the actuator 54 (see FIG. 5) passes through each of the multiple mounting holes h1 and faces downward.

[0066] The support body 22 can support the mounting body 21. The support body 22 can support a power transmission shaft 23 formed at the center of the mounting body 21.

[0067] The power transmission shaft 23 has one end connected to the main motor 30 and is disposed at the center of the mounting body 21 .

[0068] A portion of the power transmission shaft 23 is disposed to pass through a central hole (not shown) formed in the center of the mounting body 21. The power transmission shaft 23 can transmit the power of the main motor 30 to the mounting body 21. Therefore, the mounting body 21 rotates when the main motor 30 is driven, and thereby the multiple cartridges 5 can rotate.

[0069] The main body 20 can support at least one of the mounting body 21 and the support body 22. The main body 20 can also support a lift body 65 (see FIG. 5) and a lift motor 61.

[0070] A plurality of holders 24 are formed in the mounting body 21. Each of the plurality of holders 24 can fix a corresponding one of the plurality of cartridges 5.

[0071] Furthermore, a receiving body 40 is disposed inside the housing 10, and a weight sensor 104 is installed below the arrangement space of the receiving body 40. When the receiving body 40 is attached to the housing 10, the weight sensor 104 can detect the weight of the basket 7 disposed inside the receiving body 40.

[0072] The dispenser 1 may further include a control unit 110 (see FIG. 12) that controls the main motor 30 and the lift motor 61 so that the composition is dispensed from at least one of the plurality of cartridges 5 according to the cosmetic manufacturing method.

[0073] The control unit 110 is disposed inside the housing 10 adjacent to the display 6, but this is merely an example, and the control unit 110 may be disposed at any position within the housing 10.

[0074] The control unit 110 can receive cosmetic-related information from the terminal 2 via a communication unit (not shown) or can calculate a cosmetic manufacturing method by receiving cosmetic-related information input from the display 6 configured as a touch panel.

[0075] The cosmetic manufacturing method may include information on the type of composition to be dispensed and information on the amount of composition to be dispensed.

[0076] The control unit 110 can control the main motor 30 and the lift motor 61 so that the composition is discharged from at least one cartridge 5 in a determined amount according to the cosmetic manufacturing method.

[0077] The main motor 30 generates a driving force, and the driving force generated by the main motor 30 is transmitted to the mounting body 21 through the power transmission shaft 23, thereby rotating the mounting body 21. The control unit 110 controls the main motor 30 to position the cartridge 5 containing the composition to be discharged in a discharging area.

[0078] Here, the discharge area can refer to the position where the cartridge 5 containing the composition to be discharged is arranged vertically alongside the basket 7 .

[0079] When the composition to be discharged is positioned in the discharge area, the control unit 110 controls the lift motor 61 to control the discharging amount of the composition.

[0080] The control unit 110 controls at least one of the height and speed of the lifting body 65 (see FIG. 5) via the lifting motor 61, thereby adjusting the amount of composition dispensed.

[0081] FIG. 5 is a side view of a portion of a cartridge and an elevator body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 6 is a front view of a portion of a cartridge, an elevator body, and an elevator motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the rotation path of a cartridge and an elevator motor according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] The lifting motor 61 can raise or lower the lifting body 65 .

[0083] The lifting body 65 pressurizes one of the cartridges 5 when raised, and is separated from the cartridge 5 that is being pressurized when lowered. The lifting body 65 pressurizes the cartridges 5, particularly the actuator 54, to cause the composition contained in the cartridges 5 to be discharged.

[0084] The lifting body 65 can move up and down to eject the composition from any one of the plurality of cartridges 5. The lifting body 65 can move up or down to selectively drive the actuator 54.

[0085] The lift motor 61 is attached to the main body 20. The lift body 65 is disposed in the separation space S between the plurality of cartridges 5 and the main body 20.

[0086] The lifting body 65 can have a "1" shape. That is, the lifting body 65 does not need to be bent. This makes the manufacturing process of the lifting body 65 easier.

[0087] The lift body 65 is positioned so as to be removed from the rotation path of the plurality of cartridges 5. According to one embodiment, the lift motor 61 is installed closer to the front of the housing 10 than the mounting body 21, and the lift body 65 is connected to the side of the lift motor 61.

[0088] In this case, the problem of at least some of the cartridges 5 getting caught on the lift body 65 when the cartridges 5 rotate is minimized. For example, if at least a portion of the lift path of the lift body 65 interferes with the rotation path along which the cartridges 5 rotate, a malfunction may occur and the cartridges 5 may collide with the lift body 65, resulting in damage. However, as in the present disclosure, if the lift body 65 is positioned so that its lift path does not overlap with the rotation path along which the cartridges 5 rotate, the problem of interference between the lift body 65 and the cartridges 5 is minimized. In this case, the lift path is the path along which the lift body 65 moves up and down, and the rotation path is the path along which the outlets P of each of the cartridges 5 move when the cartridges 5 rotate, and may have an imaginary circular shape.

[0089] In addition, since the lifting body 65 is disposed so as to be separated from the rotation path of the plurality of cartridges 5, the problem of the composition hanging from the outlet P of the cartridge 5 being attached to the lifting body 65 as it rotates is minimized. In other words, there is an advantage in that the problem of contamination of the lifting body 65 is minimized.

[0090] Each of the plurality of cartridges 5 is formed with a container 51 containing a composition and an actuator 54 for discharging the composition contained in the container 51, and the actuator 54 is formed with a discharge body 53 having an outlet P formed therein through which the composition contained in the container 51 moves to the outside, and an actuation body 52 for opening the outlet P in response to pressure. The outlet P may be a passage through which the composition stored in the container 51 moves to the outside.

[0091] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, when the lifting body 65 is separated from the operating body 52, the outlet P is closed, and in this case, the composition is not discharged from the container 51.

[0092] On the other hand, when pressure is applied to the actuating body 52 after the lifting body 65 rises and contacts the actuating body 52, the outlet P opens. In particular, the greater the pressure applied to the actuating body 52, the larger the open area of ​​the outlet P. That is, the greater the pressure applied to the actuating body 52 by the lifting body 65, the greater the amount of composition discharged from the outlet P, and the smaller the pressure applied to the actuating body 52 by the lifting body 65, the less the amount of composition discharged from the outlet P.

[0093] As described above, the dispenser 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can dispense a composition by the lifting body 65 pressuring the actuating body 52. ​​The composition can be of any type, such as a liquid type, a cream type, or an oil type. That is, the dispenser 1 can dispense a liquid type composition, a cream type composition, or an oil type composition contained in the cartridge 5. As described above, the dispenser 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of being able to dispense a composition regardless of the state of the composition's ingredients.

[0094] On the other hand, such a cartridge 5 is fixed by a holder 24 .

[0095] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating multiple cartridges and mounting bodies according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] The mounting body 21 can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise as a member on which a plurality of cartridges 5 are mounted. The mounting body 21 may be a turntable.

[0097] 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 in which a plurality of mounting holes h1 are formed.

[0098] A plurality of holders 24 for fixing the plurality of cartridges 5 are provided on the upper mounting body 21a.

[0099] The upper portions 5a of the cartridges 5 are fixed by the holders 24, and the lower portions 5b of the cartridges 5 are fixed by the mounting holes h1.

[0100] The holder 24 can secure the plurality of cartridges 5 by enclosing the upper portions 5a 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 elastic force of the spring weakens and the holder 24 is raised upward, thereby securing space for replacing the cartridge 5. In other words, when the lever 24a is pulled outward and raised upward, the holder 24 is separated from the cartridge 5.

[0101] When the external force pulling the lever 24a outward is removed, the elastic force of the spring increases and pulls the lever 24a inward. Therefore, when the external force pulling the lever 24a outward is removed with the lever 24a in the lowered position, the holder 24 is fastened to the cartridge 5, thereby fixing the cartridge 5.

[0102] In summary, the holder 24 is fastened to or separated from the cartridges 5 by the elastic force of the spring connected to the holder 24. In this case, a structure for applying pressure to each of the cartridges 5 to fix the cartridges 5 is not required, so an increase in volume due to the fixing structure of the cartridges 5 is minimized. In other words, such a fixing structure of the cartridges 5 allows the dispenser 1 to be made smaller, which has the advantage of allowing for reduction in manufacturing costs.

[0103] The user can separate the holder 24 from the cartridge 5 by pulling the lever 24a upward, and in this state can replace the cartridge 5. When the user has completed replacing the cartridge 5, the user can fasten the holder 24 to the cartridge 5 by pulling down the lever 24a and then releasing it.

[0104] However, during the process of replacing the cartridge 5, a problem may occur in which the holder 24 is not completely fastened to the cartridge 5.

[0105] FIG. 9 is an exemplary view showing a state in which the holder is not properly attached to the cartridge in the dispenser according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0106] 9, if at least one of the holders 24 is not fully lowered, the holders 24 may not be properly fastened to the cartridge 5. Referring to FIG. 9, it can be seen that one holder 24 is fully raised and another holder 24 is raised to about half of its maximum height.

[0107] If the holder 24 is not properly fastened to the cartridge 5, the user may not realize the problem until the dispensing operation is performed, and the dispensing operation may not be performed normally in this state. As a result, the dispensing accuracy may decrease, and side effects such as having to discard the composition that has already been dispensed may occur.

[0108] Therefore, the present disclosure can propose a structure for fastening a holder 24 that is not normally fastened to the cartridge 5 to the cartridge 5. The dispenser 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a holder bracket 100 for normally fastening a holder 24 that is not fastened to the cartridge 5 among the plurality of holders 24.

[0109] FIG. 10 is a front view illustrating the inside of a dispenser including a holder bracket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the inside of a dispenser including a holder bracket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] According to one embodiment, the holder bracket 100 may be installed in a form fastened to the upper surface of the housing 10 .

[0111] 10, the holder bracket 100 may be attached to 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 pillars 20c that support the upper plate 20b, and the holder bracket 100 may be installed in a form that is fastened to the upper plate 20b.

[0112] The holder bracket 100 may have a protrusion 101 formed thereon to apply pressure to the holder 24 that is not fastened to the cartridge 5. The protrusion 101 may be formed to protrude toward the holder 24. The holder bracket 100 may be installed at a position where the protrusion 101 is spaced a predetermined distance d from the holder 24 that is properly fastened to the cartridge 5. That is, the holder bracket 100 may be installed so as to be spaced a predetermined distance d from the properly fastened holder. In this case, the set distance d may be approximately 1 mm to 5 mm, but this is merely an example and is not intended to be limiting. As a result, when the holder 24 is properly fastened to the cartridge 5, the holder 24 does not come into contact with the holder bracket 100 while the mounting body 21 is rotating.

[0113] Meanwhile, when the holder 24 is properly fastened to the cartridge 5, the holder 24 is raised upward, so that the holder 24 can come into contact with the holder bracket 100 while the mounting body 21 rotates. That is, as the mounting body 21 rotates, the holder bracket 100 can apply downward pressure to the unfastened holder 24. In particular, the protrusion 101 can push the unfastened holder 24 toward the cartridge 5, thereby fastening it to the cartridge 5.

[0114] At least one inclined surface 110, 120 may be formed on the lower portion of the holder bracket 100.

[0115] First, a first inclined surface 110 may be formed on the lower portion of the holder bracket 100. The first inclined surface 110 may be a surface that comes into contact with an unfastened holder among the plurality of holders 24 that rotate along the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21. The rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21 may refer to the direction in which the dispenser 10 rotates when operating in a dispensing mode. The first inclined surface 110 may be a surface that pushes an unfastened holder downward to fasten it to the cartridge 5. A holder 24 that is properly fastened to the cartridge 5 does not come into contact with the first inclined surface 110.

[0116] The first inclined surface 110 may be formed to decrease in height along the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21. The first inclined surface 110 may be formed to decrease the separation distance from the holder 24, which rotates along the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21.

[0117] The first inclined surface 110 may be formed to form a predetermined angle A with the rotation plane of the mounting body 21, and in this case, the angle A may be 5 to 85 degrees, but this is merely an example and is not limited to this.

[0118] A second inclined surface 120 may be further formed on the lower portion of the holder bracket 100. The second inclined surface 120 may be a surface for fastening an unfastened holder to the cartridge 5 when the mounting body 21 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction w1. Alternatively, the second inclined surface 120 may be a surface for mitigating a collision that occurs when an unfastened holder collides with the holder bracket 100 when the mounting body 21 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotation direction w1.

[0119] The second inclined surface 120 may be formed to increase in height in the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21. The second inclined surface 120 may be formed to decrease in height in the opposite direction to the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21. The second inclined surface 112 may be formed to increase the separation distance from the holder 24 rotating in the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21. The second inclined surface 112 may be formed to decrease the separation distance from the holder 24 rotating in the opposite direction to the rotation direction w1 of the mounting body 21.

[0120] The second inclined surface 120 may be formed to form 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.

[0121] The second inclined surface 120 is formed on the opposite side of the protruding portion 101 from the first inclined surface 110. That is, the protruding portion 101 may be formed between the first inclined surface 110 and the second inclined surface 120.

[0122] On the other hand, depending on the embodiment, the second inclined surface 120 may be omitted.

[0123] At least one such holder bracket 100 is provided in the dispenser 10. The dispenser 10 may include one or more holder brackets 100.

[0124] The dispenser 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can provide a function of automatically checking whether the cartridge 5 is properly installed. That is, the dispenser 1 can provide a function of checking whether the holder 24 is properly fastened to the cartridge 5 and whether the cartridge 5 is properly installed.

[0125] According to one embodiment, the dispenser 1 can automatically check whether the holder 24 is fastened to the cartridge 5 when the cartridge 5 is replaced.

[0126] According to another embodiment, the dispenser 1 may perform an operation to check whether the holder 24 is fastened to the cartridge 5 when a check command is received through a user input.

[0127] Next, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, an operation method of the dispenser 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure for checking whether the holder 24 is normally fastened to the cartridge 5 will be described.

[0128] FIG. 12 is a control block diagram for explaining the method of operation of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0129] The dispenser 10 may include a main motor 30, a rotation sensor 98, a door sensor 99, and a control unit 110. However, the above-described configuration is merely a partial list of components for explaining the operation method of the dispenser 10 to check whether the holder 24 is properly fastened to the cartridge 5, and it is natural that the dispenser 10 may further include other components.

[0130] The main motor 30 can rotate the mounting body 21. In this regard, a description that overlaps with the above description will be omitted.

[0131] The rotation detection sensor 98 can detect whether the wearing body 21 is rotating. For example, the rotation detection sensor 98 can be an optical sensor. The optical sensor includes a transmitter (not shown) that emits light and a receiver (not shown) that receives light, and can detect light that irradiates an object and then hits the object. The control unit 110 can obtain the movement, speed, position, etc. of the object based on the amount of light reflected and received by the optical sensor.

[0132] As shown in Figure 10, the rotation detection sensor 98 is mounted on the lower plate 20a. At least one rotation detection bar B is connected to the power transmission shaft 23, so that when the mounting body 21 rotates, the rotation detection bar B also rotates. When the mounting body 21 does not rotate, the rotation detection bar B does not rotate either. The rotation detection bar B is installed to pass between the transmitter and receiver of the rotation detection sensor 98 during rotation. The amount of light sensed by the rotation detection sensor 98 changes depending on whether the rotation detection bar B passes through. The control unit 110 can determine whether the rotation detection bar B passes through, i.e., whether the rotation detection bar B is rotating, as well as whether the mounting body 21 is rotating, using the change in the amount of light sensed by the rotation detection sensor 98.

[0133] However, the optical sensor is merely an example, and the rotation sensor 98 may be other types of sensors.

[0134] 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, which generates a voltage perpendicular to the current and magnetic field when a magnetic field is applied to a conductor through which a current flows. The Hall sensor can detect changes in the magnetic field that change depending on whether the door D is open or closed.

[0135] 10, the door sensor 99 may be installed on the upper surface of the lower plate 20a. The door sensor 99 may be installed in a direction facing the door D. The control unit 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.

[0136] However, the Hall sensor is merely an example, and the door sensor 99 may be another type of sensor.

[0137] The control unit 110 can control the main motor 30, the rotation sensor 98, and the door sensor 99, respectively.

[0138] FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation of a dispenser according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0139] The control unit 110 can sense the opening of the door D (S10).

[0140] The opening of the door D may refer to an event in which the door D is converted from a closed state to an open state. The control unit 110 may detect that the door D is converted from a closed state to an open state by using the sensing value of the door sensor 99.

[0141] When the door D is opened, the cartridge 5 is replaced or the like.

[0142] When the control unit 110 detects that the door D is open, it can detect whether the door D is closed (S20).

[0143] Closing of the door D may refer to an event in which the door D is converted from an open state to a closed state. The control unit 110 may detect that the door D is converted from an open state to a closed state by using the sensing value of the door sensor 99.

[0144] When the control unit 110 detects that the door D is closed, it can rotate the mounting body 21 at least once (S30).

[0145] When the door D is opened and then closed, the control unit 110 can perform an automatic fastening operation to properly fasten the unfastened holders.

[0146] Specifically, when the closing of the door D is detected, it is highly likely that the cartridge 5 has been replaced, so the control unit 110 can automatically check whether the holder 24 has been fastened to the cartridge 5.

[0147] The control unit 110 can rotate the mounting body 21 at least once to check whether the holder 24 is fastened to the cartridge 5. The mounting body 21 can perform an automatic fastening operation to properly fasten an unfastened holder, and in this case, can rotate at least once. That is, during the automatic fastening operation, the mounting body 21 can rotate at least once.

[0148] While the mounting body 21 rotates, the holder 24 normally fastened to the cartridge 5 can pass under the holder bracket 100. In other words, the holder 24 normally fastened to the cartridge 5 does not come into contact with the holder bracket 100.

[0149] On the other hand, while the mounting body 21 rotates, the holder that is not fastened to the cartridge 5 is fastened to the cartridge 5 by at least one of the first inclined surface 110 or the protrusion 101 formed on the bracket 100. That is, the holder that is not fastened to the cartridge 5 is in contact with the holder bracket 100 and pressure is applied toward the cartridge 5, thereby fastening the holder to the cartridge 5.

[0150] Meanwhile, among the holders not fastened to the cartridge 5, there may be holders that are not fastened to the extent that they do not come into contact with the first inclined surface 110. Specifically, if at least a portion of the holder 24 is higher than the maximum height of the first inclined surface 110, it may get caught on the holder bracket 100 and interfere with the rotation of the mounting body 21. That is, in some cases, a holder that is not fastened partially may not come into contact with the first inclined surface 110 during rotation, and as a result, the automatic fastening operation to the cartridge 5 may not be performed.

[0151] In this way, if there is a holder 24 that is placed higher than the maximum height of the first inclined surface 110, the mounting body 21 cannot rotate normally. That is, a rotation error occurs in the mounting body 21 due to the holder 24 that is placed higher than the maximum height of the first inclined surface 110.

[0152] A rotation error of the mounting body 21 may refer to an event in which the mounting body 21 cannot rotate despite the driving of the main motor 30. A rotation error of the mounting body 21 may refer to an event in which the mounting body 21 stops because it is unable to rotate the set number of times during an automatic fastening operation.

[0153] The control unit 110 can detect whether or not there is a rotation error in the mounting body 21 by detecting whether or not there is a rotation of the mounting body 21 through the rotation detection sensor 98 (S40).

[0154] When the control unit 110 determines through the rotation detection sensor 98 that the mounting body 21 is not rotating, it can recognize this as a rotation error of the mounting body 21 .

[0155] If a rotation error of the mounting body 21 is detected, the control unit 110 can output a holder fastening failure alarm and stop the automatic fastening operation (S50).

[0156] That is, when the control unit 110 determines that the main motor 30 is driving or that the mounting body 21 is not rotating, it can output an alarm indicating that the holder is not fastened properly and stop the driving of the main motor 30. When the mounting body 21 is not rotating, the control unit 110 can output an alarm indicating that the holder is not fastened properly and stop the automatic fastening operation.

[0157] The control unit 110 can output a holder fastening failure alarm through the display 6. Alternatively, the control unit 110 can transmit the holder fastening failure alarm to the terminal 2.

[0158] Furthermore, when a rotation error occurs in the mounting body 21, the control unit 110 can stop the main motor 30 because the user is required to fasten the holder 24. When the user is performing an operation, the door D is likely to open and close, so the control unit 110 can output a holder fastening failure alarm, stop operation, and then detect the door D being opened again.

[0159] Meanwhile, if the control unit 110 does not detect a rotation error of the mounting body 21, it can prepare for the discharge mode operation (S60).

[0160] In summary, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the control unit 110 can detect the open / closed state of the door D and obtain information on whether or not a replacement operation of the cartridge 5 has been performed. For example, when the control unit 110 detects that the door D has been opened and then closed, it can recognize that a replacement operation of the cartridge 5 has been performed.

[0161] When the control unit 110 recognizes that the cartridge 5 has been replaced, it can perform an automatic fastening operation. During the automatic fastening operation, the control unit 110 can rotate the mounting body 21 at least once. As the mounting body 21 rotates, the holder 24 is fastened to the cartridge 5.

[0162] Meanwhile, the control unit 110 can detect whether or not the mounting body 21 is rotating and obtain whether or not there is a holder 24 that cannot be automatically fastened to the cartridge 5. If there is a holder 24 that cannot be fastened to the cartridge 5, the control unit 110 can output an alarm to notify the user and stop the main motor 30 so that the user can manually fasten the holder 24 to the cartridge 5.

[0163] As a result, the dispenser 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure can provide a function to check whether all cartridges 5 are properly installed when a cartridge 5 replacement operation is required, and to automatically install any cartridges 5 that are not properly installed.

[0164] The products produced by the dispenser 1 are not limited to cosmetics, and are not limited to any particular type of product.

[0165] The above description is merely an illustrative example of the technical concept of the present invention, and various modifications and variations may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention.

[0166] Therefore, the embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the technical concept of the present invention, and the scope of the technical concept of the present invention is not limited by such embodiments.

[0167] The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the appended claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range thereof should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Housing and a main motor disposed inside the housing; an attachment body that is rotated by the main motor, has a plurality of cartridges attached thereto, and includes a plurality of holders that fix each of the plurality of cartridges; a holder bracket for properly fastening a holder that is not fastened to a cartridge among the plurality of holders.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the holder bracket is formed with a protrusion that applies pressure to the unfastened holder.

3. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the holder bracket has at least one inclined surface formed on a lower portion thereof.

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

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

6. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the holder bracket is installed to be spaced a predetermined distance from a normally fastened holder.

7. The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting body rotates at least once when performing an automatic fastening operation for normally fastening the unfastened holder.

8. The device further includes a rotation sensor for detecting whether the mounting body is rotated, The dispenser of claim 7 , wherein the automatic fastening operation is stopped if the mounting body is not rotating.

9. The device further includes a rotation sensor for detecting whether the mounting body is rotated, The dispenser according to claim 8, wherein an alarm is output to notify of a faulty fastening of the holder when the mounting body is not rotated.

10. A door is formed on one side of the housing, The dispenser according to claim 1 , wherein when the door is opened and then closed, an automatic fastening operation is performed to normally fasten the unfastened holder.

11. The dispenser of claim 10, further comprising a door sensor that senses whether the door is open or closed.

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