Liquid Dispenser Container Transceiver for Mobile Disinfectant Monitoring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for monitoring hand hygiene compliance in healthcare facilities fail to record the use of mobile dispenser containers, such as lab coat bottles, which are commonly used by medical professionals for hand disinfection.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser container system with a container body and head, featuring a movable element and transceiver elements, uses electromagnetic interaction to remotely detect the position of the movable element, allowing communication between transceiver elements when the container is opened or actuated, enabling centralized recording of disinfectant use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional monitoring systems are used, then stationary dispenser monitoring is achieved, but mobile dispenser containers cannot be monitored

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring coverageVSAvoiddisinfectant use data
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system uses universal electromagnetic transceiver elements that can detect both stationary and mobile dispenser containers through electromagnetic field interaction. The system adapts to different dispenser types by detecting the presence and state changes of the transceiver element in the container head, enabling comprehensive monitoring across all dispenser configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical or optical detection systems with electromagnetic field-based detection. The transceiver element uses electromagnetic induction to communicate container state changes without requiring direct line-of-sight or physical contact, enabling reliable detection of mobile containers regardless of their position or orientation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If transceiver elements are placed on movable components, then container state detection is enabled, but electromagnetic signal shielding occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer state detectionVSAvoidelectromagnetic signal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to the presence of conductive materials by using continuous electromagnetic field monitoring. When a conductive component moves into the detection field, the system detects the resulting field distortion and adjusts its interpretation accordingly, maintaining accurate state detection despite signal variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic field acts as an intermediary that penetrates through or around conductive materials to detect the underlying container state. The transceiver element modulates the electromagnetic field in a way that allows state information to be extracted even when direct signal transmission is blocked by conductive components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If centralized monitoring of all dispensers is implemented, then hand hygiene compliance tracking is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehand hygiene compliance dataVSAvoidmonitoring system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser containers are equipped with passive transceiver elements that automatically detect and transmit their own state changes without requiring active processing power or complex electronics in each unit. The monitoring system simply detects electromagnetic field changes, allowing containers to serve themselves in the monitoring process and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical sensors, optical detectors, or electronic communication devices in each dispenser with simple electromagnetic transceiver elements. This substitution simplifies the overall system architecture by using a unified electromagnetic detection approach that requires minimal processing and can be implemented with simple evaluation electronics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables comprehensive monitoring of disinfectant use across both stationary and mobile containers, improving hand hygiene compliance tracking in healthcare settings.

Implementation Method 1

A first transceiver element (202) is present on the stationary section (201) of the container head (200) or on the movable element (203). An electrically conductive material that can shield or attenuate an electromagnetic signal is present on the movable element (203) and/or on the stationary section (201).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4462399B1Liquid media dispenser container with transceiver element
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 BODE CHEMIE
  • EP4462399B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2b
  • EP4462399B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4b
  • EP4462399B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dispenser container for liquid media, in particular for disinfectants, comprising a container body for receiving the liquid medium and a container head. The container head includes a section that is stationary during use of the dispenser container and also has an element that is movable during use of the dispenser container. The movable element can assume at least a first and a second position. A first transmitter-receiver element is provided on the stationary section of the container head or on the movable element. Electrically conductive material, which can shield an electromagnetic signal, is provided on the movable element and/or the stationary section.In this case, the electrically conductive material does not shield the first transmitter-receiver element when the movable element assumes the first position, so that the first transmitter-receiver element can communicate with a second transmitter-receiver element, whereas the electrically conductive material shields the first transmitter-receiver element from the electromagnetic signal when the movable element assumes the second position, so that the first transmitter-receiver element cannot communicate with the second transmitter-receiver element.