Refilling station for dispense cans having a transponder reader and a dispense can transponder - Patents.com

Abstract

The refilling station (100) includes a receiving apparatus (102) for receiving a dispense can (104) to be refilled with an active substance, a transponder reading instrument (106) for selectively reading dispense can-related data of a dispense can transponder (108) attached to the dispense can (104) when the dispense can (104) is attached to the receiving apparatus (102), and a control device (110) for controlling the refilling of the dispense can (104) with the active substance based on the read dispense can-related data.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a refilling station, a refilling mechanism, and a method of operating a refilling station. [Background technology]

[0002] Dispense cans are known that can be automatically refilled by a refilling station. One such known refilling station is the REFILLO® mat-Station of the applicant Wurth. This safe and economical system relies on the automatic refilling of an empty dispense can with active substance and compressed air. This makes it possible to fill the dispense can with active substance from a larger container (e.g. a canister or drum). For this purpose, a dispense can for the individual active substance is pressed against the corresponding refilling station. The dispense can is then filled with active substance and compressed air in a defined ratio. In order to prevent any mix-up of the dispense can with the corresponding active substance, the can receptacles are mechanically coded, so that only the correct dispense can can be mechanically attached to the correct can receptacle. Only mechanically compatible dispense cans can be used in the corresponding refilling station. In this way, any possible mix-up of active substance and dispense can, which may be dangerous in certain circumstances, is mechanically prevented. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE It is an object of the present invention to provide a refilling station which is more reliable against misuse.

[0004] This problem is solved by the subject matter which has the features of the independent claims. Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one embodiment of the invention, a refilling station is provided that includes a receiving device for receiving a dispense can to be refilled with an agent, a transponder reading instrument for reading dispense can-related data of a dispense can transponder attached to the dispense can when the dispense can is attached to the receiving device, and a control device for controlling the refilling of the dispense can with the agent based on the read dispense can-related data.

[0006] In another embodiment of the present invention, a refilling mechanism is provided that includes a refilling station having the features described above and a dispense can that is attachable to or attached to a receiving device and has a dispense can transponder that stores dispense can related data that is readable by a transponder reading instrument when the dispense can is attached to the receiving device.

[0007] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a refilling station is provided, the method including receiving a dispense can to be refilled with an active substance in a receiving device of the refilling station, reading dispense can-related data of a dispense can transponder attached to the dispense can by a transponder reading device of the refilling station while the dispense can is attached to the receiving device, and controlling refilling of the dispense can with the active substance by a control device of the refilling station based on the read dispense can-related data.

[0008] Within the scope of the present application, a "refilling station" can be understood to be an apparatus configured, in particular, for refilling an at least partially empty dispense can, which can be mechanically and fluidically linked to the refilling station, with an active substance from an active substance container to be connected. The refilling station can thus provide a fluid connection between a container for providing the active substance to be refilled and the dispense can to be refilled, and can optionally be configured for providing the dispense can with compressed gas to be refilled.

[0009] Within the context of the present application, a "receiving device" may be understood to mean, in particular, a mechanical and fluidic adapter that is configured for receiving, in particular in a form-fitting manner, a dispense can to be refilled and that is capable of providing an active substance and / or compressed gas to the dispense can in the received state. Beyond the mechanical adapter function, the receiving device may also function as a fluidic adapter for providing a fluid connection between a container containing the active substance and a dispense can to be refilled with the active substance.

[0010] Within the context of the present application, a "dispense can" (for example configured as a spray can) is understood to mean a can that can be handled in particular by the user and is configured for dispensing a preferably liquid active substance (in particular for spraying a spray mist or for dispensing an active substance in the form of an active substance jet, foam or gel). Such an active substance is under pressure inside the dispense can, and a pressurized or propellant gas (for example propane, butane, compressed air, carbon dioxide, helium or nitrogen) in the dispense can can be used for dispensing the active substance from the dispense can. By means of a nozzle, one or more contents (in particular active substance or active substance-propellant gas mixture) can be sprayed, atomized and / or otherwise dispensed from the spray can. A medium present in the spray can can be sprayed from the spray can, in particular as an aerosol.

[0011] Within the context of the present application, an "agent" can be understood in particular as a medium that, when ejected from the dispense can, provides the intended function of the dispense can. Such agents can comprise liquids, gels, viscous media and / or gases, and optionally solid particles. For example, such agents can be cleaning agents (e.g. brake cleaners), rust removers, maintenance oils, silicone sprays, window cleaners, leak tester media, welding sprays, etc. At the refilling station, such agents can be refilled from a container (e.g. a canister) into the dispense can to be refilled.

[0012] Within the framework of the present application, a "control device" may in particular be understood as a device which controls the process of refilling the dispense can with an active substance, permits it in a particularly defined manner or prevents it in the event of an error. In particular, such a control device may have at least one processor and / or a part of a processor which evaluates information provided regarding the intended and / or performed refilling process and which possibly executes, adapts, restricts, expands or makes the refilling process impossible. In particular, the control device controls or controls the individual components of the refilling station for this purpose.

[0013] Within the scope of the present application, a "transponder" can be understood in particular as an instrument for wireless communication, monitoring and / or control, which can receive a wireless signal and automatically respond thereto. The transponder can be active or passive. An active transponder provides its own energy. An active transponder can, for example, have a built-in battery or can be connected to an external power grid. A passive transponder does not have its own energy source but obtains the energy used for communication from the electromagnetic field of the transponder reading instrument. Examples of transponders are RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Tag) transponders, NFC (Near Field Communication) transponders, WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) transponders, Bluetooth transponders, ZigBee transponders, etc. Optical scanners for 1D or 2D codes can also be contemplated.

[0014] Within the context of this application, a "dispense can transponder" may be understood to mean, among other things, a transponder that is physically coupled to a dispense can and logically associated with the dispense can. Thus, the dispense can transponder is structurally and functionally assigned to the associated dispense can. Thus, the dispense can related data of the dispense can transponder has an association to the associated dispense can.

[0015] Within the scope of the present application, a "transponder reading device" can be understood to be a device that is especially configured for wirelessly reading out the identification symbol of a transponder. The communicative associated link between the transponder and the reading device can be achieved by electromagnetic radiation (for example in the form of short-range alternating magnetic fields or high-frequency radio waves) generated by the transponder reading device. Not only can data be transmitted therewith, but also the transponder can be supplied with energy. The transponder reading device contains software that controls the reading process and possibly further software for providing an interface to one or more further linked systems with which it can communicate.

[0016] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in a refilling station for refilling refillable dispense cans with an active substance, the dispense can transponder is attached to the dispense can in a position such that the dispense can transponder can be read by a transponder reading device of the refilling station when (particularly or alternatively) the dispense can is attached to a receiving device of the refilling station for refilling the active substance. When the dispense can is attached to the receiving device, a fluid connection of the active substance container to the active substance can be formed by the receiving device for refilling the active substance into the dispense can, and the active substance can be delivered to the dispense can. Preferably, a transponder reading device having a limited reading range may be intended, whereby only when the dispense can is attached to the receiving device, the reading range falls below the reading distance of the transponder reading device for reading the dispense can transponder. The dispense can transponder can preferably be attached, for example, on the bottom side or near the bottom of the dispense can, so that the dispense can transponder can be read by a transponder reading device at the refilling station only when the refilling valve of the dispense can is assembled to a corresponding fluid interface of the receiving device, i.e., when the dispense can is placed in a position for refilling at the refilling station. This can reliably prevent erroneous reading of a transponder that does not belong to the dispense can to be refilled. The dispense can transponder can preferably be arranged, for example, near the refilling valve or can be arranged on the injection head or injection neck. By reading the dispense can transponder of the dispense can to be refilled, dispense can-related data can be read by the transponder reading device, which can be used for proper control of the refilling by a control device for controlling the refilling station. In particular, it can be ensured that, based on the dispense can related data, a dispense can characterized thereby can be filled only with permissible active substances suitable for that dispense can.Incorrect filling of the dispense can with an incompatible agent, which may be dangerous in some circumstances from the viewpoint of operational safety, can be reliably excluded in order to avoid health hazards for the user (e.g. due to an explosion of a flammable agent such as benzine in an incompatible dispense can) and to avoid damage or even destruction of the dispense can. Even if the user mechanically tampers with the receiving device and / or the dispense can to refill an incompatible dispense can at a refilling station, the compatibility of the system with the dispense can is checked by the dispense can transponder before the start of the refilling process. With reference to the data read out by the transponder, it is also possible to recognize that an agent is being filled into the dispense can that is incompatible with the refilling station (e.g. because it has corrosive properties for the refilling station). Thus, the embodiments of the invention provide good operational safety, since it is guaranteed that when the dispense can is refilled, the correct agent is available for it, durable safety is provided, etc.

[0017] Additional illustrative embodiments of the refilling station, refilling mechanism, and method are described below.

[0018] In an exemplary embodiment, the transponder reading device can be configured to read the active substance container-related data of the active substance container transponder assigned to the active substance container for providing the active substance, and the control device can be configured to control the refilling of the dispense can with the active substance from the active substance container assigned to the active substance container transponder on the basis of the read active substance container-related data. In a corresponding manner, the active substance container can be provided with or associated with an active substance container transponder in which the active substance container-related data is stored. In addition to the above-described dispense can transponder, it is highly preferred that an active substance container for providing an active substance for refilling the dispense can also be assigned an active substance container transponder. The active substance container transponder can include or store data that characterize the active substance container and / or the active substance contained therein. For example, the active substance container-related data can indicate what active substance (e.g. brake cleaner) is contained in the active substance container and / or what properties the active substance container has (e.g. capacity, remaining fill amount of active substance). When the active substance container-related data is supplied to the control device, the control device can check against the dispense can data whether the active substance provided from the active substance container is compatible with the dispense can, in particular whether it fulfills the specified safety standards. A compatible can transponder and active substance container transponder do not lead to a refill, for example if the refilling station is not approved for use with the active substance. In that case, the end user cannot recode the refilling station for a different active substance.

[0019] In an exemplary embodiment, the transponder reading device may be configured to selectively read the active substance container-related data when the active substance container transponder is attached or presented by the user to the housing of the refilling station in a predetermined area. In a corresponding manner, the active substance container may be provided with or associated with an active substance container transponder in which active substance container-related data is stored, which is selectively readable by the transponder reading device when the active substance container transponder is attached or presented to the housing of the refilling station in a predetermined area. It is particularly preferred that the active substance container transponder only comes within the reading distance of the transponder reading device of the refilling station when the active substance container transponder is attached to, in particular attached to, a predefined position of the housing of the refilling station (particularly correspondingly identified for the user). In that case, erroneous reading of other transponders in the surrounding area of ​​the refilling station can be avoided. The user can remove such an active substance container transponder from the associated active substance container and attach it, for example, to a correspondingly identified housing surface of a refilling station, making it possible for it to be read by a transponder reading device.

[0020] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it can be ensured that each active substance container transponder can always be used or activated only once, which ensures high operational and process safety.

[0021] It should be noted that the transponder reading device can have a common reading unit for reading the dispense can transponder and the active substance container transponder, e.g. comprising a common reading coil, or alternatively, the transponder reading device can have a first reading unit for reading the dispense can transponder arranged in the receiving device, e.g. comprising a first reading coil, and a second reading unit for reading the active substance container transponder attached to the housing of the refilling station, separate therefrom, e.g. comprising a second reading unit.

[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the control device may be configured to allow refilling of the dispense can with an agent only if the read dispense can-related data and / or the read agent container-related data are indicative of compatibility of the agent with the dispense can. For example, the dispense can-related data may be indicative of what agent an attached dispense can is suitable for. The agent container-related data may be indicative of what type of dispense can a provided agent is suitable for. Matching the dispense can-related data with the agent container-related data allows for an error-robust refill operation.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the control device may be configured to allow refilling of the dispense can with an agent only if the read dispense can-related data and / or the read agent container-related data indicate compatibility of the refill station with the agent. For example, the refill station may be incompatible with a particular (e.g., corrosive) agent. If the read data indicates the presence of an agent having properties that are not suitable for the relevant refill station, the control device may prevent refilling of the dispense can with the agent at the relevant refill station to protect the refill station from damage.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, the refilling station can have a display device for displaying dispense can related data and / or agent container related data. For example, such a display device can be an electronic display device, such as, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display device can also enable user input to a user, for example, if the display device is configured as a touch pad. The display device can be attached to a housing of the refilling station. The display device can guide a user through the filling process, enable user configuration, and / or display information read from a transponder of the dispense can and / or agent container.

[0025] In example embodiments, the dispense can associated data may include data for identifying and / or characterizing the dispense can, data for identifying a user of the dispense can, data for identifying and / or characterizing an agent for refilling the dispense can, and / or data representing an amount of an agent to be refilled into the dispense can. Alternatively or supplementally, the dispense can associated data may include other information for characterizing an assigned dispense can and / or a user assigned to the dispense can.

[0026] In exemplary embodiments, the active substance container-related data may comprise data for identifying and / or characterizing the active substance container, data for identifying and / or characterizing the active substance in the active substance container, and / or data for describing the fill amount of the active substance in the active substance container. Alternatively or supplementarily, the active substance container-related data may comprise other information for characterizing the assigned active substance container.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment, the transponder reading device may have a reading distance of at most 10 cm, in particular at most 5 cm. In other words, the transponder reading device may be configured in such a way that it can only read transponders that are within the abovementioned reading distance, i.e. within the maximum distance of the transponder reading device of at most 10 cm, preferably at most 5 cm. Incorrect reading processes, in which transponders further away are read by mistake and unintentionally, can thereby be prevented. The abovementioned reading distances can be adjusted by selecting a suitable transponder technology (in particular RFID technology, more particularly one with a low frequency (e.g. 125 kHz-LF-transponder)) and / or by selecting the excitation energy for the transponder reading device.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, the transponder reading device can have a power limiting and / or a casing that provides protection against electrostatic discharges at the refilling station even in the presence of pyrophoric agents, i.e. ensures ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection. For example, as a result of friction of the agent as it flows through the hose during refilling of the dispense canister, charging can occur, which can lead to operational safety challenges, especially when using pyrophoric agents (e.g. with benzine). The transponder reading device can therefore be operated in a low energy range in order to eliminate spark formation or even explosion tendencies. Correct grounding at the refilling station can also further improve ESD protection. This at the same time has the advantage that the reading distance of the transponder reading device is thereby also kept short, which in turn reduces the risk of an incorrect reading process.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the receiving device may be linked or linkable to an agent supply device for supplying an agent from an agent container to a dispense canister received in the receiving device, and / or a compressed gas supply device for supplying compressed gas from a gas reservoir to a dispense canister received in the receiving device. For example, the supply device may include a hose. Such a hose or the like may be fluidly linked to the receiving device via one or more suitable fluid valves to control the temporal sequence of supply of the agent and compressed gas.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the control device is configured to determine the amount of agent that has been refilled into the dispense canister. Such information may be derived by the control device from operational data and / or refill station data detected by sensors.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the control device may be configured to determine the number of refilling processes of the dispense can. For example, a counter may be incremented for this purpose with each refilling process of the dispense can. As a result, the consumption of the active substance assigned to the user of the dispense can can also be recorded and stored, for example in a data bank of a refilling station assigned to the control device and / or in a dispense can transponder. In this way, the dispense can can be personalized, i.e. assigned to a user (e.g. an assembler). Furthermore, it is possible to limit the maximum number of refilling processes of the dispense can, for example in order to ensure operational safety in terms of wear of the dispense can.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the control device may be configured to determine the remaining amount of agent in the dispense can prior to the refilling process and control the subsequent refilling process in order to avoid overfilling of the dispense can. This may be done, for example, by means of a scale which may be arranged in the area of ​​the receiving device and which allows the remaining fill amount of agent in the dispense can (characterized in particular by dispense can-related data read out from the dispense can transponder) to be determined prior to refilling. Thereby, overfilling or damage to the dispense can can be avoided and the refilling process can be reliably controlled.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the control device may be configured to release a refill order for an active substance container containing the active substance when the control device and / or the scale recognize that the remaining fill amount of the currently used active substance container falls below a predetermined threshold value. For example, based on the read-out active substance container-related data of the active substance container transponder assigned to the active substance container, in combination with a refill process using the active substance container as the active substance source and counting the refill amount, the control device can determine how much of the active substance is contained in the active substance container. If the remaining amount of the active substance in the active substance container falls below a settable threshold value (in particular a certain remaining volume, a certain remaining weight or a certain percentage of the remaining fill amount), the refilling station can release a refill order for a new active substance container, for example via a communication network. This can ensure that a new active substance container arrives in time and can be installed at the refilling station before the previously used active substance container is emptied.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the refilling station can include a scale for detecting weight information indicative of the weight of the dispense can in the receiving device prior to and / or during the refilling process, and the control device can be configured to control the refilling of the dispense can with the agent based on the detected weight information. For example, such a scale can be configured as a balance and can determine how much remaining fill the dispense can has prior to refilling. Based on such information, the refilling process can be precisely controlled and overfilling can be avoided.

[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, the transponder reading device can be configured as an RFID reading device, in particular as an RFID reading device with an operating frequency of 125 kHz, or as an NFC reading device. In a corresponding manner, the dispense can transponder and / or the active substance container transponder can also be configured as an RFID transponder, in particular as an RFID transponder with an operating frequency of 125 kHz, or as an NFC transponder. RFID technology in combination with the above-mentioned low operating frequencies allows the adjustment of a sufficiently low read distance and thus the strict avoidance of erroneous reading processes of RFID tags at a distance. Alternatively, the applied transponder technology can be short-range wireless communication.

[0036] In an exemplary embodiment, the refilling mechanism can have an agent container that contains the agent and is linked or linkable with the receiving device to provide the agent for refilling the dispense can. Such an agent container can be, for example, a canister or drum, having a storage volume of, for example, in the range of 5 L to 100 L, particularly in the range of 5 L to 80 L of agent.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the active substance container transponder may be configured as a label, in particular as an adhesive label, which is separable from the active substance container in a defined manner. Such a label preferably has a printing. In other words, the active substance container transponder assigned to the active substance container may be attached to an adhesive label, which the user can peel off from the active substance container and bring into the reading distance of the transponder reading device of the refilling station, in particular by presenting or attaching the active substance container transponder to the housing of the refilling station. The user can preferably bring the active substance container transponder into the reading distance of the transponder reading device by attaching the adhesive label with the active substance container transponder to the outer surface of the housing of the refilling station in a correspondingly identified area. Such a highly intuitive user action allows the reading process to be released precisely and error-robustly. To simplify the logistics of the active substance container from the manufacturer to the user or consumer, the use of a multi-label (i.e. an RFID transponder with a 1D code, a 2D code and / or a 3D code printed thereon) is preferred. This allows for the realization of internal and external commodity processes as well as authorization processes at refilling stations.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, the refill mechanism can include a gas reservoir configured to provide compressed gas and linked or linkable to a receiving device to provide compressed gas for refilling the dispense canister. Such a gas reservoir can be, for example, a pressurized gas container or a connection to pressurized gas piping. If the dispense canister is configured as a Bag-on-Valve (BoV) dispense canister, in which compressed gas is permanently contained and does not leak from the dispense canister when the agent is dispensed, a compressed gas reservoir for refilling the dispense canister with compressed gas may not be necessary.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the refilling mechanism may include a portable user terminal having an app that is communicatively linked to a control device for controlling the refilling mechanism, for example a user may control the refilling station from their mobile radio and send control commands to the control device.

[0040] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a refilling mechanism having a refilling station, an active substance container, and a dispensing canister according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a refilling station in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a system having multiple refill mechanisms communicatively linked with a reordering device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates material flow in a refilling mechanism having a refilling station, an active substance container, and a dispensing canister according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a receiving device of a refilling station according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of a dispense canister of a refill mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates a back view of a refill station according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a mechanism for refilling a dispense can with a refill mechanism, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates the communication connections in a refilling mechanism having a refilling station, an active substance container, and a dispensing canister according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates control logic for a refilling mechanism having a refilling station, an active substance container, and a dispensing canister, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 illustrates components of a refill station transponder reading instrument according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 illustrates a dispense can transponder according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates an active substance container transponder configured as a peel-and-adhesive label according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 illustrates a refill station having a keyless display device attached to the housing in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 illustrates a refill station having a display with a key attached to the housing, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 illustrates a portable user terminal communicatively linked to a control device of a refilling station according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] The same or similar components in different drawings are labeled with the same reference numbers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0043] Before describing exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, some general aspects of embodiments of the invention will be further explained.

[0044] In various embodiments of the invention, a refilling station is provided for filling or refilling a dispense can with an active substance from a container (e.g., a 20 L canister or a 60 L drum). The dispense can can, for example, be an aerosol can with a filling valve on its underside. Furthermore, the underside of the dispense can can be configured with a mechanical coding that corresponds to the corresponding shape of the receiving device of the refilling station. In addition, the dispense can can have an injection valve on its upper side for expelling the active substance or medium from the dispense can.

[0045] The filling station can have a fluid connection with a container, from which the active substance is filled into the dispense can to be refilled. For example, such a fluid connection can be formed by a hose in order to supply the active substance or medium from the container of the refilling station to the dispense can. Such a hose is preferably ESD-attenuated (ESD=electrostatic discharge). In particular, the refilling station can have a receiving device or a mounting device for dispense cans with mechanical coding, so that only mechanically compatible coded dispense cans can be placed in the corresponding refilling station. Furthermore, the receiving device can be provided with a stop for holding the dispense can in the receiving device during its filling. The dispense can can preferably be configured to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis so that it can be positioned independently of its angular position relative to the receiving device, i.e. obviously freely 360° on the coding plate, without the correct connection between the dispense can and the receiving device being impaired. Optionally, the refilling station may be equipped with a compressed air connection in order to fill the dispense can with compressed air together with the active substance (compressed air is available, for example, in any car factory). The filling process can be controlled by a control device. For example, when filling the dispense can, the active substance can be delivered first, followed by the compressed medium (e.g. compressed air). Both can be controlled pneumatically, for example, by a three-way valve. For this purpose, the refilling station may be equipped with a piston with a cylinder (e.g. a stainless steel cylinder or a plastic cylinder) in order to receive the active substance and fill the dispense can with a defined amount of active substance.

[0046] The refilling station can preferably be connected to an electrical potential compensation, since friction of the active substance during refilling can lead to electrostatic charging. For example, the refilling station can be assembled on a shelf, on which at least one container (e.g. a canister with a capacity of, for example, 20 l) can be arranged. It is also possible to configure the refilling station with a rest on an active substance drum (with a capacity of, for example, 60 l) or as a load-bearing adapter in a dangerous goods cabinet. Appropriate potential compensation can be realized by earthing.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, an RFID transponder or other suitable dispense can transponder can be affixed to the bottom of the dispense can or can be attached to the dispense can protected under a plastic layer. When the dispense can is attached to the receiving device of the filling station from its bottom in order to refill the associated dispense can with an active substance, the dispense can transponder is within reading distance of the transponder reading instrument of the refilling station, which can thus read the dispense can-related data from the dispense can transponder. Based on this dispense can-related data, the control device can correctly and accurately control the dispense can refilling process, and in particular can take care that only permissible active substances suitable for the dispense can characterized by the dispense can-related data are filled into the dispense can. Preferably, an active substance container that can provide an active substance for refilling the dispense can can also be equipped with an active substance container transponder that can be read by the transponder reading instrument. A match can thereby be made between the dispense can, which is characterized by the dispense can-related data on the one hand, and the active substance of the active substance container, which is characterized by the active substance container-related data on the other hand, in such a way that it can be ensured that the filling process is only permitted if the active substance and the dispense can, or the active substance and the refilling station, are compatible with each other.

[0048] In this way, the RFID technology in the dispense can and in the refilling station can ensure media security, i.e. the compatibility between the dispense can to be refilled and the active substance to be refilled therein. In particular, the refilling station can be preferably equipped with an RFID reading device with a short range (for example not exceeding 5 cm). The corresponding dispense can (in particular an aerosol can) can be equipped with an RFID transponder. The applied RFID technology can be operated in the low frequency range of 125 kHz. The spatial range can then correspond, for example, to an area not exceeding 5 cm. In a corresponding manner, the active substance container can also be operated with a further RFID transponder in the low frequency range of 125 kHz. The spatial range of this further RFID transponder can also correspond, for example, to an area not exceeding 5 cm. This enables the refilling station to identify which active substance container is connected to the refilling station. The RFID transponder in the active substance container can preferably be configured as a peel-off transponder (which can also be called a stick & go label). Such peel-off transponders can have a peel-off label on an active substance container with an RFID transponder. The section of the label that is peelable has the RFID transponder including the chip. The peeled-off section together with the RFID transponder can be attached or glued to a refilling station to identify or characterize the associated active substance container (especially with respect to the amount and / or type of active substance).

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the refilling station can detect how much of an active substance or medium has been filled into a dispense can or an aerosol can. Furthermore, it may be possible to detect how many filling processes have been carried out with a dispense can or an active substance container. In addition, it is possible to detect how much of an active substance or medium remains in the dispense can before the filling process. A refill order for the active substance container can be released in time before it is empty. In addition, based on the read-out data stored in the dispense can transponder or active substance container transponder, a protection against misuse is possible based on a match between the active substance in the dispense can and the active substance container. Furthermore, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of active substance in the connected active substance container. In particular, the amount removed can be calculated to determine the remaining amount of active substance in the active substance container. In one embodiment, the spray can or aerosol can can be assigned to a user. In addition, for a specific spray can or aerosol can, the number of filling processes and / or the amount of active substance filled (e.g. the latest amount cumulated over all filling processes) can be detected and / or calculated.

[0050] A refilling station according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is preferably applicable at a service station or logistics station where a customer can refill a dispense can.

[0051] The active substance container can have an RFID transponder that can be separated from the active substance container and attached to the refilling station in order to identify the active substance container at the refilling station. The refilling station can thus determine what active substance is connected and how much active substance is in the active substance container. If the active substance is not suitable for the refilling station (e.g. because the active substance is corrosive at the refilling station), the refilling station will not fill the active substance. If a dispense can (especially an aerosol can) is not suitable for the medium or active substance, the refilling station will not fill the medium or active substance into a dispense can configured as an aerosol can, for example.

[0052] 1 shows a refilling station 100, a refilling mechanism 116 having an agent container 114 and a dispense can 104 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The refilling mechanism 116 serves to fill or refill a fully or partially empty or emptied dispense can 104 with an agent (e.g., brake cleaner) and to allow the dispense can 104 to be filled by a user in a simple manner with the assigned agent. The agent can then be sprayed at the point of use or, more generally, dispensed from the dispense can 104. After the dispense can 104 has been emptied or emptied again, the refilling mechanism 116 can fill the dispense can 104 again with new agent, and so on.

[0053] For this purpose, the refilling station 100 has a receiving device 102 that serves as a dispense can adapter for receiving a dispense can 104 to be refilled with an active substance in a form-fitting and fluid-linked manner. The receiving device 102 may be configured as a coding plate with a mechanical interface that is form-fitted to a corresponding mechanical interface of the dispense can 104 to be refilled. In this way, only mechanically compatible dispense cans 104 can be attached to the receiving device 102, which makes it almost impossible for errors to occur. Although not shown in FIG. 1, a locking device may be attached to the receiving device 102, by means of which the dispense can 104 attached to the receiving device 102 can be locked in the receiving device 102 during filling. In this way, pressure or forces exerted on the dispense can 104 during refilling that lead to the dispense can 104 being unintentionally removed from the receiving device 102 can be excluded. After refilling is complete, the locking device may automatically release from the dispense canister 104 or may be actuated by the user to transition the dispense canister 104 to an open state, where the user may then remove the refilled dispense canister 104 from the receiving device 102 and take it to a location for use.

[0054] Further, the refill mechanism 116 can include an agent container 114 that can be filled with the agent (e.g., brake cleaner) to be refilled, for example, as a canister or drum. As such, the agent container 114 contains the agent to be filled into the dispense can 104 and can be fluidly linked or linkable with the receiving device 102 to provide the agent for refilling the dispense can 104.

[0055] If the dispense canister 104 is not a Bag-on-Valve (BoV) dispense canister that is permanently contained in a compressed medium—unlike that of FIG. 1, see description below—the refill mechanism 116 may further include a gas reservoir 124 that is fluidly linked or linkable to the receiving device 102 and configured to provide compressed gas. In this manner, the gas reservoir 124 may provide compressed gas (e.g., compressed air) for filling the dispense canister 104. For example, the gas reservoir 124 may be a connection to compressed gas piping or may be a compressed gas cylinder that contains gas under negative pressure.

[0056] As clearly shown in Fig. 1, at least one valve 111, configured in the illustrated embodiment as a three-way valve, can form a fluid connection between the active substance container 114, the optional compressed gas reservoir 124, and the receiving device 102. As shown, the receiving device 102 can be fluidly linked to an active substance supply device 120 for supplying the active substance from the active substance container 114 to the dispense can 104 received in the receiving device 102. The receiving device 102 can further be fluidly linked to an optional compressed gas supply device 122 for supplying compressed gas from the gas reservoir 124 to the dispense can 104 received in the receiving device 102. For example, the at least one valve 111 can be controlled by the control device 110 such that first only the active substance is filled into the at least partially emptied dispense can 104, and then the at least one valve 111 can be switched so that only compressed gas is filled into the dispense can 104 from the gas reservoir 124. Thereby, it can be ensured that a predefined amount of the active substance is filled into the dispense can 104. Between the active substance container 114 and the receiving device 102, a delivery device 113, e.g. a pump, may be arranged to deliver the active substance from the active substance container 114 to the receiving device 102 and from there into the dispense can 104. Optionally, between the gas reservoir 124 and the receiving device 102, a delivery device 115, e.g. a compressor or a pump, may also be arranged.

[0057] 1 illustrates, by means of an arrow, how the dispense can 104 is attached to the receiving device 102. In a bottom area of ​​the dispense can 104, in the area of ​​its refill valve 162, the dispense can 104 is equipped with a dispense can transponder 108, such as, for example, an RFID tag, where the dispense can 104 is received by the receiving device 102. Such a contactlessly communicable dispense can transponder 108 may, for example, be affixed to the dispense can 104 as a label, or may be attached or embedded on and / or within the can housing 166. The solid-state drive of the dispense can transponder 108 stores dispense can-related data, which may, for example, identify or characterize the dispense can 104 and the agent to be filled therein, and / or may include information regarding the volumetric capacity of the dispense can 104, information regarding the desired compressed gas properties in the dispense can 104, information regarding the user of the dispense can 104, etc.

[0058] A transponder reading device 106 is arranged in the receiving device 102 for contactlessly reading dispense can related data of a dispense can transponder 108 attached to the dispense can 104. The transponder reading device 106 is arranged in an area of ​​the receiving device 102 such that the dispense can 104 is within the reading field of the transponder reading device 106 only when the dispense can 104 is attached to the receiving device 102. This has the advantage that it is ensured that an erroneous reading process by the transponder reading device 106 of a dispense can 104 located in a peripheral area further away from the transponder reading device 106 is reliably prevented. For this purpose, the transponder technology on the basis of which the transponder reading device 106 and the dispense can transponder 108 communicate may be configured as a short-range transponder technology (e.g., as a short-range RFID technology) having a range of, for example, 10 cm or less, in particular 5 cm or less. Accordingly, dispense can related data from dispense can transponder 108 can be selectively read by transponder reading instrument 106 only when dispense can 104 is attached to receiving device 102. The read data can be provided from transponder reading instrument 106 to control device 110 or can be stored in electronic mass memory (not shown) of refill station 100.

[0059] The active substance container 114 may also be provided with an active substance container transponder 112 (not shown) or is preferably associated therewith. In a solid-state memory of the active substance container transponder 112, active substance container-related data is stored that is selectively readable by the transponder reading device 106 when the active substance container transponder 112 is attached - as shown - to the housing 130 of the refilling station 100. To enable or facilitate readability of the active substance container transponder 112 by the transponder reading device 106, the active substance container transponder 112 may be configured as a label 132 that is separable from the active substance container 114 in a defined manner. For example, the label 132 may be configured as an adhesive label equipped with the active substance container transponder 112, which the user can separate from the active substance container 114, which is configured, for example, as a canister, and apply to the housing 130 at a location (e.g. correspondingly identified) intended for this purpose. Such attachment or pasting, or alternatively presentation, can bring the active substance container transponder 112 within reading distance of the transponder reading device 106, so that the active substance container-related data can be read by the transponder reading device 106. Reliable protection against erroneous reading of the active substance container-related data is provided, in that the active substance container transponder 112 can only be detected by the transponder reading device 106 after a defined user action has brought the active substance container-related data into reading distance of the transponder reading device 106. For example, the active substance container-related data can include information about the active substance in the active substance container 114, about the fill amount or remaining fill amount in the active substance container 114, about a suitable dispense can 104 or refilling station 100 for the active substance, etc.

[0060] The control device 110 can evaluate the dispense can-related data and the active substance container-related data provided to it by the transponder reading instrument 106, for example to check their compatibility. In particular, the control device 110 can determine from the data read out by the transponder reading instrument 106 whether the active substance provided by the active substance container 114 is compatible with the dispense can 104 received in the receiving device 102. In this way, operational safety can be increased, since it can be prevented that a dispense can 104 that is not suitable for a dangerous active substance (e.g. containing benzine and therefore a fire hazard) is used. In a similar manner, it can also be prevented that active substances originating from impermissible sources are allowed for refilling the dispense can 104. Even if a user tampers with the shape of the dispense can 104 and attempts to assemble it to the receiving device 102, regardless of the incompatibility of the agent container 114 fluidly linked thereto, this can be recognized by the control device 110 by reading out the dispense can transponder 108. Thus, the filling of a dispense can 104 that is not suitable for a particular agent can be reliably prevented by the above-mentioned transponder configuration. A high operational safety can thereby be achieved when using the refilling mechanism 116. If the dispense can-related data and the agent container-related data show a match, the refilling process is released or allowed by the control device 110, otherwise the refilling process is prevented and not allowed.

[0061] 1 further shows that a user terminal 134 having a software app for user control of the refilling mechanism 116 using the control device 110 is communicatively linked. The user terminal 134 may for example be a mobile radio that may be communicatively linked wirelessly to a communication interface 119 of the refilling station 100 via a communication network 117 (e.g. a mobile radio network or the public internet). In this way, a user may remotely transmit control commands to the refilling mechanism 116 or monitor the operation of the refilling mechanism 116.

[0062] 1, refill station 100 includes a display device 118 for displaying information, such as, for example, dispense can related data, agent container related data, and / or information about the user. For example, display device 118 may be configured as an LCD display or a touch screen. Ancillary information may be displayed to the user by display device 118 before, during, and / or after the refill process.

[0063] The refilling station 100 shown in FIG. 1 can preferably have a scale 126, for example configured as a balance, for detecting the weight of the dispense can 104 at the receiving device 102 before and / or during the refilling process or weight information indicative thereof. Weight detection of the dispense can 104 before the refilling process allows a qualitative or quantitative determination of the remaining fill of the dispense can 104 with any active substance and / or compressed gas present and a corresponding adaptation or execution of the refilling process to be subsequently performed. The remaining fill of the dispense can 104 that may be present is taken into account before refilling, thereby avoiding overfilling of the dispense can 104. It is also possible to monitor the weight increase of the dispense can 104 to be refilled during the refilling process to avoid any overfilling or underfilling that may occur. The control device 110, which can be provided with the results of the weight detection by the scale 126, can thus be configured to control the refilling of the dispense can 104 with the active substance based on the detected weight.

[0064] The scale 126 may preferably be configured to detect total weight information before and / or during the refilling process, which is indicative of the total weight of the dispense can 104, the remaining fill of active substance in the dispense can 104 and part of the refilling station 100 (in particular at least one part of the receiving device 102). The control device 110 may then control the refilling of the dispense can 104 with active substance on the basis of the detected total weight information. This has the advantage that it may not be necessary to detect exactly the weight of the dispense can 104 alone. It is also possible to simply detect the aforementioned total weight, which is significantly simpler in terms of measurement technology, since it is then not necessary to separate the dispense can 104 and the receiving device 102 during the weight determination process. The empty weight of the receiving device 102 without the dispense can 104 is detected before the dispense can 104 is attached to the receiving device 102, so that when the total weight is determined by the scale 126 after the dispense can 104 is attached to the receiving device 102, the remaining weight of the total weight, which is distinct from the dispense can weight, can be subtracted in a calculation.

[0065] As already explained, after the dispense can 104 to be refilled is attached to the receiving device 102, the control device 110 can allow the dispense can 104 to be refilled with an active substance only if the data determined by the transponders 108, 112 indicates compatibility between the dispense can 104 attached to the receiving device 102 for refilling and the active substance provided from the connected active substance container 114.

[0066] Alternatively or supplementarily, acceptability of refilling the dispense can 104 with an agent may depend on whether the agent detected by the detection device 138 satisfies pre-determined acceptability criteria. The acceptability criteria may apply whether the agent being delivered by the supply device 120 is an agent that is acceptable for the dispense can 104 and / or whether the agent detected by the supply device 120 satisfies an agent origin that is considered acceptable for the dispense can 104.

[0067] 1, the detection device 138 of the agent supply device 120 for supplying an agent from the agent container 114 can perform measurements that serve to characterize and / or identify the agent passing through the supply device 120, e.g. configured as a hose, during refilling of the dispense can 104. In this way, an agent that is about to be used to refill the dispense can 104 contrary to one or more predetermined acceptability criteria can be recognized.

[0068] For example, agents that are acceptable for refilling dispense cans 104 can be provided at the factory with an optically recognizable marker, such as, for example, a fluorescent marker or a DNA marker. In this way, agents that are acceptable for refilling a particular dispense can 104 and / or that meet required quality standards can be identified. When such agents are being delivered through supply device 120, detection device 138 can detect, preferably optically, whether the agents meet predetermined acceptability standards during delivery. For example, acceptability of filling dispense cans 104 with the agents can be determined depending on whether an expected fluorescent signal can be optically detected by detection device 138.

[0069] Data indicative of the predetermined acceptability criteria detected by the detection device 138 can be provided to the control device 110. The control device 110 can then accept or reject refilling of the dispense can 104 with an agent depending on whether the agent detected by the detection device 138 satisfies the predetermined acceptability criteria. For example, an agent can be accepted for refilling of the dispense can 104 only if it contains a corresponding expected fluorescent marker, e.g., indicative of a particular agent and / or indicating the attribution of the agent to an acceptable source (e.g., a particular manufacturer). In this way, checking the predetermined acceptability criteria ensures high quality of the agent and operational safety of the agent in combination with the dispense can 104.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, the detection device 138 is configured as an optical detection device for detecting a predetermined optical signal characteristic of the agent to be refilled. The presence of the aforementioned signal characteristic indicates that the agent fulfills the predetermined acceptability criteria. The detection device 138 can then advantageously detect the agent in the hose or in the supply device 120, preferably during flow through the supply device 120. Once the detection device 138 has determined the signal characteristic of the candidate agent for refilling the dispense can 104, the signal characteristic can be transmitted to the control device 110 for evaluation. The control device 110 can then determine, for example based on a comparison between the determined actual signal characteristic and the expected target signal characteristic, whether the signal characteristic indicates fulfillment of the predetermined acceptability criteria. Depending on the result of such an examination, the control device 110 can then take measures to allow or not allow the refilling of the dispense can 104 with the agent.

[0071] If the detected signal characteristics indicate that the agent does not meet the acceptability criteria, the control device 110 can activate a blocking device 140 to block refilling of the dispense canister 104 with the agent. For example, the blocking device 140 can crush the delivery device 120, which is configured as a flexible hose, so that the agent cannot pass through the supply line 120. Alternatively, the blocking device 140 can include a hardenable adhesive within the delivery device 120, which is configured as a fluid line, that chemically closes the supply line 120, disabling conduction of the agent through the supply line 120.

[0072] The dispense can 104 can have a mixture of active agent and compressed gas therein, and when the operating nozzle 121 is operated, the active agent-compressed gas-mixture is expelled or sprayed, for example as an aerosol, from the dispense can 104. In this case, to refill the dispense can 104, not only new active agent but also new compressed gas is required.

[0073] Alternatively, the dispense can 104 may be configured as a specially configured bag-on-valve dispense can, as shown in FIG. 1. The refillable dispense can 104 shown in FIG. 1 serves to dispense the active substance and has a deformable bag 160 therein for containing the active substance. The bag 160 may be made of, for example, plastic or metal foil. The bag 160 is fluid-tightly coupled at its underside to a refill valve 162. The refill valve 162 may be fluid-tightly mounted to the receiving device 102, thereby fluidly linked to the refill station 100 for filling or refilling the bag 160 with the active substance from the active substance container 114. Additionally, the bag 160 is coupled at its upper side to a release valve 164 for a user-defined release of the active substance from the bag 160. The actuation nozzle 121 may be attached to a release valve 164 such that actuation of the actuation nozzle 121 opens the release valve 164, thereby discharging the active substance from the bag 160 in the form of a spray.

[0074] 1 further includes a rigid canister housing 166 that contains the bag 160, with the refill valve 162 and the release valve 164 exposed at the bottom or top. In other words, the release valve 164 protrudes from the rigid canister housing 166 at the top side and the refill valve 162 at the bottom side. The canister housing 166 may be, for example, a rigid metal housing. The compressed gas may be fluid-tightly enclosed in an intermediate volume 168 between the bag 160 and the canister housing 166 and may be protected from leaking out of the dispense canister 104. In this way, it is impossible for the compressed gas to leak out through the refill valve 162 and / or the release valve 164. That is, when the agent is sprayed through the release valve 164, the agent is not mixed with the compressed gas, because the compressed gas remains in the intermediate volume 168, i.e., in the dispense canister 104. 1 also does not require refilling with compressed gas. Charging of intermediate volume 168 with compressed gas can be accomplished at the factory, for example, through one of valves 162, 164 and / or through the other valve on canister housing 166 (not shown).

[0075] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart 200 illustrating a method of operating the refill station 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] The method of operating the refill station 100 begins at block 202 which indicates that the refill station 100 is ready to perform the method, which may be indicated on the display device 118.

[0077] At block 204, a check is made to see if the weight of the dispense canister 104 to be refilled, as detected by the scale 126, is stable within a predetermined range.

[0078] If so, the dispense can transponder 108 is read by the transponder reading instrument 106 in block 206. Additionally, the active substance container transponder 112 may be read by the transponder reading instrument 106.

[0079] At block 208, it is determined whether the agent or medium to be filled into the dispense can 104 is acceptable. If not, the method presumes it is an incorrect dispense can 104. See block 210. This can be displayed on the display device 118.

[0080] If so, then the amount of agent remaining in the dispense canister 104 to be refilled is determined in block 212. The pump 113 can then be turned on to deliver agent to replenish the dispense canister 104 (block 214).

[0081] After refilling the dispense canister 104 with the fill substance, it may be determined (e.g., by scale 126) whether the amount of agent refilled into the dispense canister 104 is appropriate. See block 216. If this is not the case, the method repeats the steps of blocks 214 and 216.

[0082] If, on the other hand, this is the case, the method determines the active agent charge and sums the total charge at block 218. This may be displayed to the user on the display device 118 at block 220.

[0083] Then, at optional block 222 , the pump 115 or compressor may be turned on to fill the dispense canister 104 with compressed gas.

[0084] At block 224, a check is made to see if the pressure in the refilled dispense canister 104 is correct. If that is not the case, the procedures of blocks 222 and 224 are checked.

[0085] If, on the other hand, this is the case, the operating method is terminated, see block 226. Corresponding information can be displayed on the display device 118. An acoustic signal (e.g. generated by a buzzer) can indicate the end of the operating method.

[0086] In addition to the above-mentioned filling progression procedures, a pressure pulse can be used to detect whether the dispense can 104 is correctly seated on the receiving device 102 before filling. Furthermore, data can be transmitted to the communicatively linked node after filling. It is also possible to detect whether an active substance container 114 (e.g., a drum or canister) is empty. This is possible, for example, by monitoring the weight progression of such an active substance container 114 when the dispense can 104 is being filled.

[0087] FIG. 3 illustrates a system having multiple refill mechanisms 116 communicatively linked with a reorder device 123 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0088] In the system of Figure 3, a number of refilling mechanisms 116 having the components described above are communicatively linked to a node 121 (e.g., a gateway), which is linked to a reordering device 123 via a communications network 117. When the control device 110 and / or scale 126 of the refilling mechanism 116 recognize that an active substance container 114 will soon be empty (e.g., because the remaining fill of the active substance container 114 containing the active substance is below a predetermined threshold), that information can be transmitted via the node 121 and communications network 117 to the reordering device 123, which releases a reorder for a new active substance container 114 containing the active substance.

[0089] 3, consumption data relating to the agents may be transmitted, for example, to a Kanban system. The transmitted data may include an identifier for each refill mechanism 116, an identifier for the dispense can 104, a date and time, and the agents and amounts of agents consumed and / or reordered. As shown, node 121 may act as a gateway common to multiple refill mechanisms 116. Software, and particularly firmware, may be installed in the refill mechanisms 116, node 121, and / or reorder device 123.

[0090] FIG. 4 illustrates material flow in a refilling mechanism 116 having a refilling station 100, an agent container 114, and a dispensing canister 104 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] The agent can be transferred from the agent container 114 through the supply device 120 of the refilling station 100 and from there to the dispense canister 104 that is assembled to the receiving device 102 after the cover 135 is flipped open. The compressed gas can be transferred from the compressed gas reservoir through the supply device 122 of the refilling station 100 and from there to the dispense canister 104 that is assembled to the receiving device 102. If the dispense canister 104 is a BoV dispense canister, refilling of the compressed gas is not necessary.

[0092] FIG. 5 shows a receiving device 102 of a refilling station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] FIG. 6 shows the bottom view of a dispense canister 104 to be assembled into the receiving device 102 of FIG. 5 of a refill mechanism 116 according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

[0094] The receiving device 102 is formed with a coding plate 129 for receiving a bottom area 133 of the dispense can 104. The coding plate 129 is configured to be mechanically complementary to the bottom area 133 of the dispense can 104 (see FIG. 6). The coding plate 129 can be exposed by opening a flap or cover 135 shown in FIG. 4 in an upward direction. A fluid connection 137 is shown in a central area of ​​the coding plate 129, which can be fluidly linked with a refill valve 162 of the dispense can 104 for refilling the dispense can 104 with active substance and / or compressed gas through the refill valve 162.

[0095] After the dispense can 104 is assembled to the coding plate 129, a locking device for locking the dispense can 104 to the coding plate 129 can be operated to prevent unintentional removal of the dispense can 104 from the receiving device 102 during the refill process. After the refill process is completed, the dispense can 104 can be unlocked and removed from the receiving device 102.

[0096] 7 shows the underside of a refill station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 7 shows the sections of the delivery devices 120, 122.

[0097] 8 illustrates a mechanism for refilling a dispense canister 104 with a refill mechanism 116 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The mechanism includes a piston and cylinder of a predetermined size, which allows for the appropriate pressure to define the fill amount to be dispensed.

[0098] FIG. 9 illustrates the communication connections in a refilling mechanism 116 having a refilling station 100, an agent container 114, and a dispensing canister 104 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0099] 9 includes a refilling station 100 and a dispense can 104 attached to a receiving device 102, the dispense can 104 having a dispense can transponder 108 having dispense can-related data stored thereon, the dispense can-related data being selectively readable by a transponder reading device 106 only when the dispense can 104 is attached to the receiving device 102. The refilling mechanism 116 further includes an agent container 114 that contains an agent and is fluidly linked or linkable with the receiving device 102 to provide the agent for refilling the dispense can 104. As shown, the agent container 114 is provided with and associated with an agent container transponder 112 having agent container-related data stored thereon. The agent container-related data is selectively readable by the transponder reading device 106 only when the agent container transponder 112 is attached by a user to a housing 130 of the refilling station 100. The active substance container transponder 112 is preferably configured as an adhesive label that is separable in a defined manner from the active substance container 114. The dispense can transponder 108 and the active substance container transponder 112 are configured as RFID transponders having an operating frequency of 125 kHz. The transponder reading device 106 is accordingly configured as an RFID reading device having an operating frequency of 125 kHz and a reading distance of 5 cm.

[0100] Although not shown in FIG. 9, the refill mechanism 116 may optionally additionally include a gas reservoir 124 that may be fluidly linked to the receiving container 102 configured to provide compressed air to provide compressed gas for refilling the dispense canister 104 (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 4).

[0101] The transponder reading device 106 serves to read dispense can-related data of a dispense can transponder 108 attached to the dispense can 104 when the dispense can 104 is attached to the receiving device 102. The transponder reading device 106 further serves to read agent container-related data of an agent container transponder 112 attached by a user to the housing 130 of the refill station 100. The aforementioned dispense can-related data can include, for example, data for identifying the dispense can 104, data for identifying a user of the dispense can 104, data for identifying an agent for refilling the dispense can 104, and / or data for representing an amount of agent to be refilled. In contrast, the agent container-related data can include data for identifying the agent container 114, data for identifying an agent in the agent container 114, and / or data for representing a fill amount of agent in the agent container 114.

[0102] The control device 110 is configured to control the refilling of the dispense can 104 with the agent based on the read dispense can-related data and / or based on the read agent container-related data. In particular, the control device 110 is configured to allow the refilling of the dispense can 104 with the agent only if the read dispense can-related data and the read agent container-related data indicate compatibility of the agent with the dispense can 104. Such compatibility may be lacking, in particular, if the dispense can 104 is not acceptable for containing the agent, for example for operational safety reasons. Compatibility between the agent and the refilling station 100 may also be a condition for carrying out a desired refilling procedure, for example, lacking if the agent is considered corrosive to the refilling station.

[0103] The transponder reading device 106 preferably has a reading distance of at most 5 cm, thereby preventing erroneous reading of transponders at great distances. For this same reason, and for reasons of operational safety, the transponder reading device 106 has a power limiting and / or casing that provides protection against electrostatic discharge or ESD protection at the refilling station 100, even in the presence of pyrophoric agents (e.g., benzene).

[0104] 9, the receiving device 102 is linked to an agent supply device 120 for supplying an agent from an agent container 114 to a dispense canister 104 received in the receiving device 102. The receiving device 102 may further be linked to a compressed gas supply device 122 for supplying compressed gas from a gas reservoir 124 to the dispense canister 104 received in the receiving device 102, if desired.

[0105] For example, based on data read from transponders 108, 112, control device 110 can determine the amount of agent refilled into dispense can 104, the number of refill processes for dispense can 104, and / or the amount of agent remaining in dispense can 104 prior to a refill process, and control a subsequent refill process to avoid overfilling dispense can 104. Control device 110 may preferably be configured to release an order for a refill of agent-containing agent container 114 when control device 110 and / or scale 126 recognize that the remaining fill of a currently used agent container 114 having an initial fill of, for example, 20 L, falls below a predetermined threshold of, for example, 5 L.

[0106] FIG. 10 illustrates control logic for a refill mechanism 116 having a refill station 100, an agent container 114, and a dispensing canister 104 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] If the refilling mechanism 116 has a scale 126 for detecting the weight (or information indicative thereof) of the dispense can 104 in the receiving device 102 before and / or during the refilling process, the control device 110 may be configured to control the refilling of the dispense can 104 with the active substance based on the detected weight or detected weight information.

[0108] In FIG. 10, the dispense canister transponder 108 is positioned at the release valve 164 , i.e., facing the receiving device 102 .

[0109] Further, in FIG. 10, dispense canister 104 is configured as a BoV dispense canister in which the compressed gas remains permanently inside dispense canister 104 and does not exit dispense canister 104 when the agent is dispensed.

[0110] Additionally, in FIG. 10 a pressure sensor is shown at 157 .

[0111] Figure 11 shows the components of a transponder reading device 106 of a refilling station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In Figure 11, an RFID antenna 141 is located on the fill valve and is connectable by an electrical cable 155. The associated control electronics are implemented on a printed wiring board 143.

[0112] Figure 12 shows dispense can transponder 108 configured as a ring transponder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Dispense can transponder 108 shown in Figure 12 can be attached to the bottom area of ​​dispense can 104, preferably around refill valve 162. Reference numeral 145 denotes an associated chip.

[0113] Fig. 13 shows an active substance container transponder 112 configured as a peel-off and adhesive label according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. In other words, the active substance container transponder 112 of Fig. 13 is an adhesive label for active substance identification, configured for example as a detachable or peelable tag.

[0114] FIG. 14 illustrates a refill station 100 having a keyless display device 118 mounted on a housing 130 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0115] 15 illustrates a refill station 100 having a keyed display device 118 assembled to a housing 130 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The electronic display device 118 serves to display data for a user and additionally allows the user to control the operation of the refill station 100 in a user-defined manner.

[0116] 16 shows a portable user terminal 134 communicatively linked to the refilling station 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated portable user terminal 134 may be, for example, a smartphone. To control the refilling mechanism 116, an app may be installed on the user terminal, which may be communicatively linked to the control device 110, for example via a mobile radio network. In this way, a user may communicate with the refilling station 100, and in particular with the control device 110, by means of the user terminal 134.

[0117] It should be noted that "having" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "eine" or "ein" does not exclude a plurality. It should be further noted that the elements or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be applied in combination with other elements or steps of the other embodiments described above. The reference signs in the claims should not be considered as limitations.

Claims

1. At the refilling station, a receiving device for receiving a dispenser can to be refilled with the active substance; a transponder reader for selectively reading dispense can related data of a dispense can transponder attached to the dispense can when the dispense can is attached to the receiving device; a control device for controlling refilling of the dispense canister with an agent based on the read dispense canister related data; the transponder reading device is configured for reading active substance container-related data of an active substance container transponder assigned to an active substance container for providing the active substance, A refilling station, wherein the control device is configured to control refilling of the dispense canister with the agent from the agent container assigned to the agent container transponder based on the read agent container related data.

2. The refilling station of claim 1, wherein the transponder reading device is configured to selectively read active substance container-related data when the active substance container transponder is attached to or presented by a user in a predetermined area on the housing of the refilling station.

3. The refilling station of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to allow refilling of the dispense can with an active substance only when the read dispense can-related data and / or the read active substance container-related data indicate compatibility of the dispense can with the active substance and / or indicate compatibility of the active substance with the refilling station.

4. 2. The refilling station according to claim 1, comprising a display device for displaying dispense can related data and / or active substance container related data.

5. Dispense can related data is data for identifying and / or characterizing the dispense canister; data for identifying a user of said dispense can; data for identifying and / or characterizing an agent for refilling the dispense canister; data representing an amount of agent to be refilled into the dispense canister; 10. The refill station of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the group consisting of:

6. Data relating to the active substance container are Data for identifying and / or characterizing the active substance container, data for identifying and / or characterizing the agent in the agent container; data representing the filling amount of the active substance in the active substance container, 10. The refill station of claim 1, further comprising at least one of the group consisting of:

7. Each of the following components: The transponder reading device has a reading distance of at most 10 cm; the transponder reading instrument having power limiting and / or a casing that provides protection against electrostatic discharge at the refilling station even in the presence of pyrophoric agents; 2. The refill station of claim 1, comprising at least one of:

8. The refilling station of claim 1, wherein the receiving device is linked or linkable to an active substance supply device for supplying an active substance from an active substance container to the dispense canister received in the receiving device, and / or to a compressed gas supply device for supplying compressed gas from a gas reservoir to the dispense canister received in the receiving device.

9. The refill station of claim 1 , wherein the control device is configured to determine an amount of agent refilled into the dispense canister.

10. The refill station of claim 1 , wherein the control device is configured to determine a number of refill processes of the dispense canister.

11. 10. The refill station of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to determine a remaining amount of agent in the dispense canister prior to a refill process and to control a subsequent refill process to avoid overfilling of the dispense canister.

12. The refilling station of claim 1, wherein the control device is configured to release a reorder of an active substance container containing the active substance when the control device and / or the scale recognizes that the remaining fill amount of a currently used active substance container falls below a predetermined threshold.

13. a scale for detecting information indicative of a weight of the dispense canister at the receiving device prior to and / or during a refill process; The refill station of claim 1 , wherein the control device is configured to control refilling of the dispense canister with an agent based on the detected information.

14. The refill station of claim 1 , wherein the transponder reader is configured as an RFID reader or as an NFC reader.

15. In the recharging mechanism, A refilling station according to any one of claims 1 to 14; and a dispense can having a dispense can transponder having dispense can related data stored thereon that is attachable or attached to a receiving device and selectively readable by a transponder reading instrument when the dispense can is attached to the receiving device.

16. 16. The refill mechanism of claim 15, comprising an agent container containing an agent and linked or linkable with the receiving device to provide the agent for refilling the dispense canister.

17. The refilling mechanism of claim 16, wherein the active substance container is provided with or associated with an active substance container transponder, the active substance container transponder storing active substance container related data that is readable by the transponder reading device.

18. 20. The refill mechanism of claim 17, wherein the active substance container transponder is configured as a label.

19. 20. The refill mechanism of claim 17, wherein the dispense can transponder and / or the active substance container transponder are configured as an RFID transponder or as an NFC transponder.

20. 16. The refill mechanism of claim 15, comprising a gas reservoir configured to provide compressed gas and linked or linkable with the receiving device to provide compressed gas for refilling the dispense canister.

21. 16. The refill mechanism of claim 15, further comprising a portable user terminal having an app communicatively linked to the control device for controlling the refill mechanism.

22. 1. A method of operating a refilling station, the method comprising: receiving a dispense canister to be filled with an active substance in a receiving device of a refilling station; selectively reading dispense can related data from a dispense can transponder attached to the dispense can by a transponder reading device at the refill station when the dispense can is attached to the receiving device; and controlling refilling of the dispense can with an active substance by a control device of the refilling station based on the read dispense can related data. said transponder reading device reading active substance container-related data of an active substance container transponder assigned to an active substance container for providing the active substance; The method, wherein the control device controls the refilling of the dispense canister with the agent from the agent container assigned to the agent container transponder based on the read agent container related data.

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