TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a device for refilling a portable tank adapted to contain a sanitising liquid.

PRIOR ART

Portable tanks of sanitising liquid are known, which allow to always carry along a small amount of a sanitising liquid conveniently ready for use, for example for hand sanitisation.

The portable tank may for example be part of a bottle, in which case it is shaped so that it can be deformed elastically to allow the delivery of the sanitising liquid, or it may be part of a portable manual delivery apparatus provided with a mechanical manual pump connected to said tank for the delivery of the sanitising fluid, in which case the tank is generally rigid and the delivery takes place by means of the pump.

A problem with such tanks is that in order to be portable they have a reduced capacity, in particular the smaller the tank, the more comfortable it is to carry and therefore preferred by the user, therefore it may happen to run out of sanitising liquid in the tank at a time of need.

An object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned problem of the prior art, within a rational, effective and cost-effective solution.

Such object is achieved by the features of the invention reported in the independent claim. The dependent claims outline preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In particular, the invention makes available an apparatus for refilling with a sanitising liquid for a portable delivery apparatus of a sanitising liquid provided with a tank adapted to contain the sanitising liquid, said refill apparatus comprising:

- a tank adapted to contain the sanitising liquid,

- a refill nozzle,

- an electro-mechanical pump in fluid communication with the tank and configured to send the sanitising liquid contained in the tank to the refill nozzle. Thanks to this solution, a refill apparatus is made available, which can be positioned inside public places, roads, companies, etc., which allows to refill a portable tank with sanitising liquid, so that the user of the portable tank never risks running out of sanitising liquid and thus ensuring optimal conditions for sanitising the environment and people and reducing the risk of transmission of viruses and bacteria.

According to one aspect of the invention, the refill apparatus may comprise a housing seat of the portable sanitising apparatus at which the refill nozzle is positioned and which is configured to accommodate at least a portion of said portable apparatus, and/or a removable engagement arrangement of the portable apparatus, at which the refill nozzle is positioned and which is configured to temporarily secure the portable apparatus to the refill apparatus.

This avoids errors in the positioning of the tank and therefore the possibility of sanitising liquid to be wasted due to spills. In addition, these features allow the user not to have to hold the tank during the refilling phase.

According to another aspect of the invention, the refill apparatus may comprise a sealing gasket associated with the refill nozzle and adapted to achieve a fluid seal with the tank to be refilled.

This avoids, or at least minimises, the risk that a part of the sanitising liquid may leak out and be wasted while the tank is being refilled.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the tank of the refill apparatus can be shaped as a removable cartridge provided with an electronic device that makes available a code identifying the cartridge, wherein the refill apparatus comprises an electronic control and command unit, configured to operate the electro-mechanical pump, and a transceiver device operatively connected to the electronic control and command unit and configured to interface with the electronic device, and wherein the electronic control and command unit is configured to send the liquid to the refill nozzle only when it detects by the transceiver device that the cartridge identification code corresponds to a predetermined code.

This prevents tampering with the refill apparatus and ensures the use of a specific optimal cartridge for the rest of the apparatus. In addition, the use of a predetermined sanitising liquid particularly suitable for the electro-mechanical pump is guaranteed. According to a further aspect of the invention, the refill apparatus may comprise a delivery nozzle distinct from the refill nozzle and connected to the electro-mechanical pump, which is configured to selectively send the sanitising liquid to the refill nozzle and/or the delivery nozzle.

In this way, the refill apparatus also performs the function of sanitising liquid dispenser, thus ensuring optimal conditions of sanitisation of the environment and of people and reducing the risk of transmission of viruses and bacteria, even in the event that said people are not provided with a portable apparatus for delivery sanitising liquid.

The invention may further provide that the electronic control unit may be configured to perform an automated cleaning cycle in which it activates the delivery of a predetermined amount of sanitising liquid through the refill nozzle automatically after a predetermined time range since the last delivery through the refill nozzle.

This prevents the sanitising liquid from being able to dry in the refill nozzle, thus always ensuring the perfect functionality of the refill apparatus.

Similarly, the invention may also provide that the automated cleaning cycle also provides for the delivery of a predetermined amount of sanitising liquid through the delivery nozzle automatically after a predetermined time range since the last delivery through the refill nozzle.

According to one aspect of the invention, the refill apparatus may comprise a laser pointer configured to generate an optically visible light beam in a direction wherein the delivery nozzle delivers the sanitising liquid.

This avoids any waste of sanitising liquid due to incorrect positioning of the hand by the user below the delivery nozzle.

According to another aspect of the invention, the delivery apparatus may comprise an optical scanner facing a delivery direction of the delivery nozzle and operatively connected to the electronic control and command unit, wherein the electronic control and command unit is configured to calculate a user’s hand by means of a detection made with the optical scanner and to deliver a certain amount of sanitising liquid according to the calculated size.

In this way it is possible to deliver a quantity of sanitiser weighted to the size of the user’s hand, thus avoiding wastes of sanitising liquid that take place in the devices of the prior art, which deliver a very high predetermined amount of sanitising liquid for safety reasons, which therefore turns out to be excessive in many cases. The invention further makes available a sanitising system comprising a refill apparatus according to claim 1 and a portable delivery apparatus for a sanitising liquid provided with a tank, wherein the refill apparatus is configured to refill said tank.

The invention may further provide that the sanitising system may comprise an electronic device that makes available an identification code of the portable apparatus itself, wherein the refill apparatus comprises a transceiver device, configured to communicate with the electronic device of the portable apparatus, and an electronic control and command unit operatively connected to the electro-mechanical pump and the transceiver device of the refill device, and wherein the electronic control and command unit of the refill apparatus operates the electro-mechanical pump to send the liquid to the refill nozzle only when it detects by means of the transceiver device that the identification code of the portable apparatus corresponds to a predetermined code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent after reading the following description provided by way of non-limiting example, with the aid of the figures illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a portable sanitising liquid delivery apparatus according to the invention illustrated in a phase of delivering the sanitising liquid on a hand of a user, while it is being worn on the wrist of a user.

Figure 2 is a side view of the portable apparatus of Figure 1 while it is being worn by the user.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the portable apparatus according to section plane Ill-Ill. Figure 4 is a side view of a refill apparatus according to the invention, illustrated in a phase in which it delivers sanitising liquid onto a hand of a user.

Figure 5 is a side view of a sanitising system according to the invention, provided with the refill apparatus and the portable apparatus of the following figures, and in which the refill apparatus is illustrated in a phase in which it is refilling a tank of the portable apparatus with the sanitising liquid.

Figure 6 is a front view of the sanitising system of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view of part of the sanitising system of Figure 6 according to section plane VI-VI.

Figure 8 is an enlargement of detail VIII of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of the sanitising system, in particular which is provided with a different type of refill apparatus, depicted in a first operational phase.

Figure 10 is a partial sectional view of the embodiment of the sanitising system of Figure 9 illustrated in a second operational phase.

Figure 11 and Figure 12 are different embodiments of the refill apparatus.

BEST MODE TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

With particular reference to these figures, a portable sanitising liquid delivery apparatus A is indicated globally with 1, hereinafter abbreviated as portable apparatus 1, comprising a tank adapted to contain the sanitising liquid to be delivered. The portable device 1 is in particular of a wearable type.

In fact, the portable apparatus 1 is preferably a wearable element, such as a bracelet 10, illustrated in the figures, which allows the portable apparatus to be worn on the wrist as if it were a watch. The bracelet can be elastic and/or provided with means (not illustrated) to allow a variation thereof in length in order to adapt to the user’s physiognomic characteristics.

Flowever, in less preferred and not illustrated embodiments, the wearable element could be a necklace or a brooch or a belt or a belt pouch or a band configured to wrap a portion of the arm.

The wearable element does not comprise a sanitising liquid tank.

The portable apparatus 1 then comprises a delivery device 15 connected, preferably removably, to the wearable element and which is configured to deliver the sanitising liquid, in particular it is configured to deliver a predetermined amount of sanitising liquid. The removable connection of the delivery device with the wearable element can be achieved in various ways, for example with a clip or interlocking or button or magnetic system or with Velcro or other systems suitable for the purpose.

The delivery device is preferably shaped and fixed to the wearable element so as not to contact the user’s body directly.

With particular reference to the sectional view of Figure 3, the delivery device 15 comprises a tank 20, which is the aforesaid tank of the portable apparatus, adapted to contain the sanitising liquid A to be delivered.

This tank 20 is preferably rigid, i.e. not deformable under the normal working loads to which it is subjected during operation.

The delivery of the sanitising liquid present in the tank takes place by means of an electro-mechanical pump 25 of the delivery device itself. Said electro-mechanical pump is in particular a motor pump, i.e. a system provided with an electric motor and a pump driven by said electric motor for pumping the sanitising liquid for the purpose of delivery the same.

Said electro-mechanical pump 25 is in fluid communication, preferably direct, with the tank, to deliver the sanitising liquid contained therein, for example to deliver the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electro-mechanical pump 25 is housed inside the tank 20 itself.

The electro-mechanical pump 25 is directly fluidically connected to a delivery nozzle 30 of the sanitising liquid pumped from the tank 20. This delivery nozzle allows the sanitising fluid pumped by the electro-mechanical pump 25 to be conveyed externally to the delivery device 15.

In the illustrated embodiment, in which the electro-mechanical pump 25 is located inside the tank, said delivery nozzle 30 passes through an (external) wall of the tank itself, or is made (entirely) in said wall of the tank itself. For example, it is made as a through hole in said wall directly in fluid communication with the electro-mechanical pump 25.

In the illustrated embodiment, the delivery nozzle 30 is part of the electro-mechanical pump 25.

It is not excluded that in an embodiment not illustrated, the delivery nozzle 30 can also protrude externally with respect to an outer surface of the tank wall in which the through hole is made.

The delivery device 15 comprises an electric battery 35 for supplying the electro mechanical pump 25, electrically, for example galvanically, which is connected to the electro-mechanical pump 25, namely to the electric motor of the electro-mechanical pump 25.

For example, the delivery device 15 comprises an enclosure or casing 40 (closed) inside which the tank 20, the electro-mechanical pump 25 and the electric battery 35 are housed.

The delivery nozzle 30 thus puts the electro-mechanical pump in fluid communication with an environment outside the casing. Preferably, the only possible fluid communication between the outside of the casing and the inside of the casing is possible through the delivery nozzle 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the tank is made as a single body with the casing 40 and the battery 35 is located within the tank. In practice, the electric battery is in contact with the sanitising liquid.

However, it is not excluded that in an embodiment not illustrated, the casing may have a first chamber in which the tank is made and a second chamber fluidically isolated from the first and in which the electric battery 35 is housed.

When the tank is made as a single body with the casing, the delivery nozzle passes through or is made in an (external) wall of the casing itself.

Preferably the delivery device 15 is entirely contained within its casing.

The delivery device may comprise a refill element (not illustrated) of the electric battery, which may comprise either electrical contacts, for example accessible from the outside of the casing 40, or an antenna for wireless charging. In such cases the battery is not of the type removable from the casing. However, it is not excluded that in a less preferred and not illustrated embodiment, the casing may comprise an openable door for access to a battery removably fixed to the casing.

The delivery device may comprise a vibrating arrangement 45, for example connected to the casing and placed inside it. This vibrating arrangement comprises an electric motor provided with an output shaft to which an eccentric body is fixed with respect to the axis of rotation of the output shaft. This vibrating arrangement allows the delivery device to vibrate in order to provide a haptic feedback to the user.

The delivery device 15 comprises an electronic control and command unit 50 operatively connected to the electro-mechanical pump and to the supply battery to operate the electro-mechanical pump so that it delivers a predetermined amount of sanitising liquid.

For example, the electronic control and command unit 50 may comprise a memory unit in which the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid to be delivered to the electro mechanical pump 25 is stored, i.e. in which the actuation time of the electro-mechanical pump necessary to deliver the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid is stored.

The electronic control and command unit may further comprise a transceiver 55, for example wireless, adapted to allow a communication of the delivery device with a remote device, for example external to the casing 40 of the delivery device.

The portable apparatus, for example the delivery device thereof, comprises an electronic device that makes available a code identifying the portable apparatus itself, that is the delivery device itself in the illustrated case in which it is removable from the wearable element and it is the only one having a tank. In the illustrated embodiment, such an electronic device is realized by the wireless transceiver 55 and/or by the electronic control and command unit 50. However, it is not excluded that in an alternative embodiment said electronic device could be an RFID tag or a microchip provided with a memory unit containing the identification code of the portable apparatus, that is of the delivery device, and connected to an interface port adapted to allow the physical connection of a device adapted to read the memory unit.

The delivery device comprises an activation system operatively connected to the electronic control and command unit 50 and configured to detect, or measure, a predetermined activation input (or signal), detected (or measured) in which the electronic control and command unit 50 operates the electro-mechanical pump 25 to deliver the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid.

The electronic control and command unit 50 is preferably configured to deliver the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid after a preset range of waiting time after detecting the predetermined activation input.

The electronic control and command unit 50 may further be operatively connected to the vibrating arrangement 45 and be configured to operate said vibrating arrangement after detecting the activation input and prior to operating the electro-mechanical pump 25. It is not excluded that in an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the delivery device, alternatively or in addition to the vibrating arrangement, in order to provide a feedback to the user, may comprise a visual or audible warning device. In practice, the delivery device comprises a feedback arrangement operatively connected to the electronic control and command unit, which can be configured to emit a feedback signal, through said feedback arrangement, indicative of the reception of the activation input and before commanding the delivery of the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid. This feedback arrangement comprises at least one of the vibrating arrangement, a visual warning device or an audible warning device. The activation system may be configured to receive an external wireless signal or to detect a movement of the wearable element and/or of the delivery device 15 or to detect a touch of the delivery device or may be a switch (the latter option being less preferred than the others).

It is specified that a touch of the delivery device means a touch from the outside, i.e. from the outside of the casing, for example on the casing. This touch can be, for example, made by the user with the fingers of the hand.

In the case in which the activation system is configured to detect a movement of the wearable element and/or of the delivery device 15 or to detect a touch, for example repeated, of the delivery device, said activation system comprises a sensor and the electronic control and command unit 50 is then configured to monitor (cyclically and automatically at a predetermined sampling time range) through said sensor a value of a (predetermined) parameter indicative of the activation input and to deliver the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid when it detects either that the value of said measured indicative parameter falls within a preset range of values or that the value of the indicative parameter follows a preset trend in a predetermined time range (said trend being understood both as values that must fall within a predetermined numerical range and as variation of the values in the predetermined time range that must follow a predetermined law; the time range in this second case must be greater than the sampling time range).

The sensor is for example at least one of an accelerometer, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, an infrared sensor, a scanner and a gyroscope.

In the case where the activation system is configured to detect a movement of the wearable element, it may comprise an accelerometer adapted to detect such movement and/or a gyroscope.

In particular, in this case, the sensor comprises an accelerometer 60 (possibly a plurality of accelerometers), for example integral without residual degrees of freedom to the tank 20, i.e. to the casing 40, and the parameter indicative of the predetermined input is a predetermined series of consecutive accelerations (in the three-dimensional space) of the delivery device. The predetermined activation input may therefore be a movement, according to a preset scheme, of a part of the user’s body (e.g. the arm in the illustrated case of the bracelet) to which the wearable element is secured, which movement is then reflected in a movement of the wearable element.

Even in the case in which the activation system is configured to detect a repeated touch of the delivery device, for example of the tank, i.e. of the casing, made by means of a finger of the user’s hand, the sensor preferably comprises an accelerometer. As in the previous case, the accelerometer 60 is integral without residual degrees of freedom to the tank 20, i.e. to the casing 40, and the parameter indicative of the predetermined input is a predetermined series of consecutive accelerations (in the three-dimensional space) of the delivery device.

The predetermined series of accelerations for detecting the repeated touch is different from that for detecting the movement of the wearable element, i.e. of the part of the body to which the wearable element is secured.

The accelerometer therefore allows to detect both the activation input as a movement of the part of the body to which the wearable element is secured, and the activation input as a repeated touch of the delivery device. Between the two activation inputs it is preferred that the predetermined input is the movement of the user’s arm according to a preset scheme, as this input allows not to touch the device. However, the repeated touch allows a very fast and efficient activation of the delivery device.

In detail, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the sensor comprises (at least) the accelerometer, the electronic control and command unit 50 is configured to monitor (cyclically and automatically at predetermined sampling time ranges) through said accelerometer 60 a value of the acceleration of the delivery device (in the three- dimensional space) and to deliver the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid when it detects that a plurality of acceleration values detected in the predetermined time range vary (numerically) following a predetermined law of variation and fall within a predetermined numerical range.

As already mentioned, with the accelerometer and the electronic control and command unit 50 thus configured it is possible both to detect the input as a movement of a part of the user’s body and the repeated touch of the delivery device, since in both cases accelerations are generated on the delivery device. However, it may be preferable to use it only to detect the movement input of a part of the user’s body, as it does not require touching the delivery device.

In the event that the predetermined input is the repeated touch of the delivery device, the predetermined acceleration variation law may provide for the detected acceleration value to exceed a predetermined upper threshold value a first time (for a predetermined time range), then to fall below a predetermined lower threshold value (for a predetermined time range that may be different from the time range for which the acceleration value must exceed the upper threshold value) and immediately thereafter again to exceed the predetermined upper threshold value.

In the case where the predetermined input is the movement of a part of the user’s body to which the wearable element is secured, the predetermined acceleration variation law may be a personalised acceleration variation law, which is obtained during the execution of a learning phase.

For example, the electronic control and command unit may be configured to record, for a predetermined time range, the data from the sensor configured to detect a movement of the wearable element, i.e., of the delivery, wearable device (such a sensor being for example an accelerometer and/or gyroscope).

Subsequently, in the learning phase, the electronic control and command unit is configured to process the acquired data, or preferably to send them to a remote control and command unit, for example in the cloud, for generating a personalised acceleration variation law based on the recorded data, which is subsequently stored in the electronic control and command unit itself.

This learning phase can be activated (i.e. when the electronic control and command unit starts the phase of recording the sensor data) by means of a predetermined scheme of interactions with the portable apparatus and/or movements of the portable apparatus, i.e. of the delivery device, or it can be activated by means of a remote signal provided by an external control and command unit, for example belonging to a smartphone. Both in the case of law of variation of the accelerations of a predetermined type and in the one of a personalised type, the electronic control and command unit is configured to apply a tolerance range to the exact values of the law itself.

For example, this tolerance can be varied, preferably by communication of the electronic control and command unit of the delivery device with a remote electronic control and command unit, preferably being a part of a smartphone on which a special software for the management of the delivery device is run.

Furthermore, by means of such a remote device, in order to increase the accuracy of detection of the activation input, and in the event that the wearable element is a bracelet, it is possible to indicate, in order to implement the law of variation of the accelerations, whether the bracelet is worn on the right wrist or on the left wrist.

The law of variation of the accelerations can be the result of a sequential and predetermined mathematical algorithm, or can be obtained by machine learning (artificial intelligence).

As already mentioned, it is advantageous to use an activation input that does not provide for the contact with the delivery device, this is also achievable when the activation system is configured to receive a signal external to the portable apparatus. In this case, the activation input is a wireless signal, that is a signal formed by electromagnetic waves. Such a signal may be at least one of a radio, bluetooth, NFC, Wi-Fi signal.

In such a case, the activation system comprises either a wireless receiver or a wireless transceiver, for example the wireless transceiver 55, and the electronic control and command unit 50 is configured to deliver the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid when it detects a predetermined wireless signal.

In a preferred embodiment, the wireless activation signal is generated by an RFID tag (Radio-Frequency IDentification) external to the delivery apparatus, in which case the sensor comprises a wireless transceiver, for example that of the electronic control and command unit 50, and the electronic control and command unit 50 is configured to cyclically send by means of the transceiver an energizing wireless signal configured to energize the RFID tag, and to operate the electro-mechanical pump 25 in order to deliver a predetermined amount of sanitising liquid when it detects a wireless signal emitted by the RFID tag following the energizing wireless signal.

As can be understood, the preferred activation inputs are the movement of a part of the user’s body to which the wearable element is secured and a wireless signal external to the delivery device. Immediately after them there is the repeated touch of the delivery device.

The activation system of the preferred embodiment of the delivery device is configured to receive an external wireless signal, to detect a movement of the wearable element and/or of the delivery device 15 and to detect a (repeated) touch of the delivery device.

In the preferred delivery device, the activation system therefore comprises both the accelerometer 60 and the wireless transceiver, in particular configured to interface with RFID tags. This configuration also makes it possible not to waive the least preferred, but extremely functional, activation input by repeated touch of the delivery device.

It is not excluded that such preferred activation inputs may be detected or provided differently than what has been explained previously.

For example, the repeated touch with a finger of the delivery device could be detected by a capacitive sensor or a temperature sensor (e.g. in the form of an infrared sensor) or a scanner.

The movement of a part of the user’s body to which the wearable element is secured could be detected by inertial sensors in general or sensors for detecting mechanical movements provided with metal balls that move to create an electrical contact between two conductive materials.

As for the wireless signal, it could be sent directly from an active remote device, in which case the sensor could be a simple wireless receiver instead of a wireless transceiver as in the case of the RFID tag.

In all cases in which the delivery device comprises the accelerometer and/or the gyroscope, the electronic control and command unit of the delivery device can be configured to activate the delivery of the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid only after reception (and recognition) of the predetermined activation input and only when it detects by means of said sensors that the delivery device, in particular the delivery nozzle thereof, is in a predetermined position and orientation in the three-dimensional space (i.e. within a predetermined position and orientation range).

As a further detail, the electronic control and command unit of the delivery device can be configured, after detecting the activation input and detecting that the position and orientation falls within the preset position and orientation range, to emit a feedback signal via the feedback arrangement, and then to wait for a predetermined cancellation time range before activating the delivery of the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid. During this predetermined cancellation time range, the electronic control and command unit is configured to monitor by means of the accelerometer and/or the gyroscope the position and the orientation of the delivery device and is configured to compare the monitored position and the orientation with the predetermined position range and orientation, and to cancel the delivery of the sanitising liquid in the event that the monitored position and orientation do not fall within a predetermined position and orientation range. In this way the user can easily cancel the delivery in case the activation input has been supplied incorrectly or has changed his mind.

As in the case of the learning phase of the law of personalised variation of the accelerations, also in this case the electronic control and command unit can be configured in a substantially identical way to perform a learning phase of a personalised position and orientation, so as to set a personalized configuration of position and orientation based on which to perform the delivery of the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid.

With reference to Figures 5-10, a sanitising system 100,100’ comprising the portable sanitising apparatus 1 and a refill apparatus 110,110’, 110”, 110”’ of said portable apparatus (refill apparatus also illustrated in Figures 3, 11,12) has been illustrated.

The refill apparatus comprises a tank 115 adapted to contain the sanitising liquid A for refilling the tank of the portable apparatus, i.e. the tank 20.

In particular, the refill apparatus 110,110’,110”,110’” comprises a casing or box-shaped body 111 within which the tank 115 is contained.

Said box-shaped body 111 may comprise a base 120,120’ to allow the refill apparatus to rest on a surface, such as the floor or a table, and the rest of the box-shaped body rises above said base, as illustrated in the figures. In the embodiment 120 it is suitable to be positioned on a table, while in the embodiment 120’, where it has a greater vertical extension, it is suitable to be positioned on the floor.

Alternatively, such box-shaped body 111 may comprise means for fixing the box shaped body itself to a wall, such as holes for retaining threaded connection members, as illustrated in the embodiment of the refill apparatus 110”’.

The tank 115 may be shaped as a cartridge removably fixable to the box-shaped body. In this way it is possible to quickly replace a cartridge that has exhausted the sanitising liquid with a new one ready for use, minimizing the inoperative times of the refill apparatus. In this case, the box-shaped body comprises a cartridge housing seat shaped and/or provided with means configured to allow the removable fixing of the cartridge to the box-shaped body.

Such a cartridge may be provided with an electronic device 125 that makes available a code identifying the cartridge itself. Such electronic device 125 may be a microchip or a RFID tag or a transceiver. Preferably it is an RFID tag.

The refill apparatus 110,110’, 110”, 110’” comprises a refill nozzle 130 by means of which the sanitising liquid is transferred to the delivery nozzle 30 of the delivery device 15.

The refill nozzle 130 is then configured and shaped to interface with the tank of the portable apparatus (i.e., with a refill and/or delivery opening of the portable apparatus), for example with the delivery nozzle 30 of the delivery device, to transfer the sanitising liquid.

In particular, the refill nozzle 130 is shaped so as to make a fluidic seal with the tank of the portable apparatus (i.e. with the refill and/or delivery opening of the portable apparatus), for example with the delivery nozzle 30, so that the sanitising liquid passes from the tank of the refill apparatus to the tank of the portable apparatus without dispersions of sanitising liquid.

For example, the refill nozzle 130 may be provided with an elastic sealing gasket 135 (resilient), for example annular, positioned so as to make a fluid seal between the refill nozzle and the tank of the portable apparatus (i.e., with the refill and/or delivery opening of the portable apparatus), for example between the refill nozzle and the delivery nozzle 30 when these are pressed against each other. For example, the sealing gasket 135 may be an O-ring.

The refill nozzle is shaped like a body in which a hole is made that can be traversed by the sanitising liquid and the sealing gasket 135 is housed in a special seat coaxial to the hole and made in said body, in particular made near a free end of this body, i.e. the end that contacts the delivery nozzle 30. The sealing gasket 135 may be positioned in various ways based on the shape of the delivery device, the delivery nozzle 30, and the refill nozzle 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing gasket 135 is positioned at the free end, and the seat is shaped so that under resting conditions the sealing gasket protrudes externally with respect to said body. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, one end of said hole is made by the sealing gasket itself, which is substantially an extension of said hole. In the illustrated embodiment, in other words it can be said that the sealing gasket, during the refilling of the delivery device with sanitising liquid, is directly interposed between the refill nozzle and the delivery nozzle 30 and forms a connection channel between the two.

It is not excluded that in an alternative embodiment the body of the refill nozzle 130 can be of tubular shape and of such size as to partially fit inside the delivery nozzle 30, i.e. a hole of the delivery nozzle, and that in this case the sealing gasket can protrude radially and externally with respect to said tubular body. Similarly, the delivery nozzle 30 could be tubular in shape and sized to fit into the hole of the refill nozzle, and in such a case the sealing gasket could protrude radially towards the inside of the hole of the refill nozzle 130.

It can be envisaged that the refill nozzle can be removable with respect to the box shaped body 111, and for example that the refill apparatus can comprise a set of different refill nozzles, so as to have more nozzles adaptable to different tanks. A variable geometry refill nozzle or an automatic change mechanism of the refill nozzles coupled to a magazine of differently shaped refill nozzles may be further envisaged.

The refill device also comprises an electro-mechanical pump 140 in fluid communication, for example directly, with the tank 115, i.e. with the cartridge, and configured to send to the refill nozzle 130, for example by means of a conduit inside the box-shaped body 111 , the sanitising liquid A contained in the tank 115.

Said electro-mechanical pump 140 is in particular a motor pump, i.e. a system provided with an electric motor and with a pump operated by said electric motor for pumping the sanitising liquid present in the tank 115. When the tank 115 is a cartridge, in the cartridge housing seat, a channel (not illustrated) is positioned which is adapted to put the cartridge in fluid communication with the electro-mechanical pump 140.

The refill nozzle 130 puts the electro-mechanical pump 140 in communication with the outside of the box-shaped body 111 , in particular the refill nozzle is made as a through hole in a wall of the box-shaped body 111 or protrudes externally therefrom.

The refill apparatus 110,110’, 110”, 110’” comprises an electrical power source (not illustrated) for the supply of the refill apparatus itself, which electrical power source can for example be an electrical battery or an electrical outlet adapted to allow the connection to an electrical power distribution network (possibly connected to an electrical transformer).

The refill apparatus may comprise a housing seat 145 of the portable apparatus 1, in particular of the delivery device 15 in the event that it is connected to the wearable element removably, for example made in the box-shaped body, at which the refill nozzle 130 is positioned.

The housing seat 145 may be configured to precisely accommodate at least a portion of the portable apparatus, i.e. of the delivery device, so that once inserted into the housing seat it remains in place. The housing seat could be made of an elastically deformable material and shaped so as to be slightly smaller than the portion of the portable apparatus, i.e. delivery device 15, insertable into the housing seat, so that by elastically deforming the housing seat generates a pressure on the portion of the portable apparatus, i.e. delivery device 15, inserted into the seat itself.

The housing seat may for example comprise a concave surface, for example provided with an upwardly facing concavity, in which to insert the portable apparatus, i.e. the delivery device 15, and which is configured to precisely accommodate at least a portion of the delivery device, see Figure 8.

Alternatively or in addition to said housing seat, the refill apparatus may comprise a gripping arrangement of the portable apparatus, at which the refill nozzle is positioned and which is movable between a first position, wherein it engages the delivery device to the refill apparatus, and a second position, wherein it allows the delivery device to be removed from the refill apparatus. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, the housing seat substantially comprises the gripping arrangement.

In both cases there is a first fixed wall 150,150’, at which the delivery nozzle 130 is positioned and a second wall 155,155’, movable with respect to the first one between the first position, wherein it engages the delivery device to the refill apparatus by tightening it between the first wall and the second wall itself, and the second position, wherein it allows the delivery device to be removed from the refill apparatus without exerting any pressure thereon. This movement of the second wall with respect to the first one is controlled by an actuator, for example electric (not illustrated).

In the embodiment 110 of the refill apparatus present in figures 5-8, there is both the presence of the seat adapted to accommodate a portion of the portable apparatus, that is of the delivery device, and the gripping arrangement.

The housing seat is in particular formed by a through opening 160 made in the box shaped body 111, by the first wall 150 (which is contained in the box-shaped body) and by the second wall 155, which is contained in the box-shaped body and is movable towards and away from the first wall.

The movement of the second wall with respect to the first allows both to vary the size of the housing seat so as to be able to accommodate portable devices, i.e. delivery device, of different sizes (in this case it remains stationary when the delivery device is inserted), and to clamp the portable apparatus, i.e. the delivery device, once the latter has been inserted through the through opening 160.

This gripping arrangement is of the clamp type, in particular the second wall translates in the direction toward and away with respect to the first wall.

In the embodiment 110’ of the refill apparatus there is instead only the gripping arrangement, which has the first wall 150’ and the second wall 155’, which are external with respect to an internal volume of the box-shaped body 111. This gripping arrangement is of the gripper type, in particular the second wall is hinged with respect to the first wall.

In the illustrated embodiments, the refill nozzle 130 is positioned in the first wall. However, it is not excluded that the refill nozzle, instead of being in one between the first wall and the second wall, could be interposed between the two, based on the shape of the delivery device 15.

The transition from the second position to the first position can take place automatically by using a presence sensor (not illustrated) configured to detect the presence of the portable apparatus, i.e. the delivery device 15 between the first wall and the second wall. Once the refill of the portable device tank is finished, the second wall automatically returns, that is operated, into the second position.

Such a presence sensor may for example be a photocell or a proximity sensor.

The refill apparatus 110,110’, 110”, 110”’ may comprise a centring arrangement of the portable apparatus, i.e. of the delivery device 15, configured to allow the delivery nozzle 30 to be centred with respect to the refill nozzle 130.

Such a centring arrangement may comprise a first (permanent) magnet 165 integral with the refill apparatus 110,110’, 110”, 110”’ and a second (permanent) magnet 170 integral with the delivery device and configured to generate a reciprocal magnetic attraction force with the first magnet. The first magnet is preferably positioned in the vicinity of the refill nozzle 130 and the second magnet is positioned in the vicinity of the delivery nozzle 30. In detail, the first magnet is positioned in the seat and/or first wall 150,150’, preferably in the vicinity of the refill nozzle 130, and the second magnet is positioned inside the casing of the delivery device, preferably in the vicinity of the delivery nozzle 30.

Such a centring arrangement may alternatively or additionally comprise the housing seat 145 and the casing of the delivery device, which may be shaped such that a single reciprocal position of the delivery device exists within the housing seat.

The refill apparatus 110,110’, 110”, 110”’ comprises an electronic control and command unit 175 operatively connected to the electro-mechanical pump 140 (and to the electric power source) and configured to operate the electro-mechanical pump so as to deliver a predetermined amount of sanitising liquid, identifiable as a refill amount, through the refill nozzle 130.

For example, the electronic control and command unit 175 may comprise a memory unit in which the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid to be delivered to the electro mechanical pump 140 through the refill nozzle 130 is stored, that is in which the actuation time of the electro-mechanical pump necessary to deliver the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid through the refill nozzle 130 is stored.

Alternatively, the refill apparatus may be provided with a sensor adapted to monitor a value of a parameter indicative of the pressure in the delivery nozzle, and in this case the electronic control and command unit 175 is configured to operate the electro mechanical pump 140 so that it delivers sanitising liquid until the pressure reaches a preset maximum pressure value, indicative of the fact that the tank 20 of the portable apparatus, i.e. of the delivery device 15, is full.

This indicative parameter could be the current intensity absorbed by the electro mechanical pump detected by the electronic control and command unit itself or the actual pressure measured by a pressure sensor positioned so as to be in direct fluid communication with the refill nozzle 130.

The electronic control and command unit 175 may further comprise a transceiver 180, for example wireless, adapted to allow a communication of the refill apparatus with a remote device, for example with the portable apparatus, i.e. with the delivery device, in particular with the (wireless) transceiver 55 of the delivery device 15.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic control and command unit 175 of the refill apparatus is configured to operate (automatically) the electro-mechanical pump 140 to send the liquid to the refill nozzle only when it detects, for example by means of the transceiver 180, that the identification code of the portable apparatus, for example of the delivery device, contained in the electronic device of the portable apparatus, in particular of the delivery device 15, or contained in the transceiver 55 or in the electronic control and command unit 50 of the delivery device 15, corresponds to a predetermined code, for example contained in the memory unit of the electronic control and command unit 175, or contained in a remote device with which the electronic control and command unit 175 is operatively connected by cable or wirelessly (for example a remote device in the cloud).

In particular, the electronic control and command unit 50 of the delivery device 15 is configured to transmit by its wireless transceiver 55, the identification code of the delivery device to the wireless transceiver 180 of the electronic control and command unit 175, for example after receiving a request of identification from the electronic control and command unit 175 sent via the wireless transceiver 180 of the refill apparatus.

It is not excluded that in an alternative embodiment, in which the electronic device containing the identification code of the portable apparatus, i.e. of the delivery device, is not wireless, the refill apparatus may comprise a connector adapted to allow a galvanic connection with the portable apparatus, i.e. with the electronic device, and operatively connected to the electronic control and command unit 175, for example positioned in the housing seat 145 or in the gripping arrangement.

For example, such a connector could comprise suitable electrical contacts placed on an external surface of the refill apparatus, for example of the seat, and on an external surface of the delivery device.

The electronic control and command unit of the refill apparatus may also preferably be configured to operate (automatically) the electro-mechanical pump 140 to send the liquid to the refill nozzle 130 only when it detects, for example by the transceiver device 180, both that the identification code of the refill apparatus, i.e. of the dispenser device 15, corresponds to a respective predetermined code, and the identification code of the cartridge corresponds to a respective predetermined code, for example such respective predetermined codes being stored in the electronic control and command unit 175 or in a remote device to which the electronic control and command unit 175 is connected. In particular, in addition to the communication described above between the electronic control and command unit 175 and the delivery device 15, in the illustrated embodiment, the electronic control and command unit 175 is configured to cyclically send by the wireless transceiver 180 an energizing wireless signal configured to energize the RFID tag of the cartridge, and to operate (automatically) the electro-mechanical pump 140 in order to deliver the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid only when it detects both a wireless signal emitted by the RFID tag containing the cartridge identification code (following the wireless energizing signal), and the wireless signal containing the identification code of the delivery device emitted by the transceiver 55 of the delivery device 15.

It is not excluded that in an alternative embodiment, in which the electronic device containing the cartridge identification code is not wireless, the refill apparatus may comprise a connector adapted to allow a galvanic connection with the electronic device and operatively connected to the electronic control and command unit 175, for example positioned in the housing seat 145 of the battery.

As mentioned above, the refill apparatus may comprise an electrical actuator (not illustrated) configured to move the second wall between the first and second positions and the electronic control and command unit 175 is configured to command said electrical actuator upon receipt of a manual command or preferably automatically when the sensor of the gripping arrangement described above detects the presence of the portable apparatus, i.e. the delivery device, between the first wall and the second wall. The refill apparatus may also comprise a presence sensor configured to detect the presence of the portable delivery apparatus, i.e. of the delivery device, in the housing seat even in the event that the apparatus is not provided with a gripping arrangement of the portable apparatus. Such a sensor may be for example in the form of a photocell or a proximity sensor.

The electronic control and command unit 175 can then be configured to operate (automatically) the electro-mechanical pump 140 to deliver the sanitising liquid contained in the cartridge in order to refill the tank of the portable apparatus, i.e. of the delivery device, only when it detects all of the following conditions:

- that the identification code of the portable apparatus 1 , i.e. of the delivery device 15, corresponds to a respective predetermined code (detection of the code carried out by the electronic control and command unit 175 by means of the transceiver 180, which is preferably wireless),

- that the identification code of the cartridge corresponds to a respective predetermined code, (detection of the code carried out by the electronic control and command unit 175 by means of the transceiver 180, which is preferably wireless),

- that the portable apparatus, i.e. the delivery device, is present in its respective housing seat or that the gripping arrangement is in the first position (detection carried out by the electronic control and command unit 175 by means of the presence sensor and/or the actuator of the gripping arrangement).

The refill apparatus 110,110’, 110”, 110’” may also comprise a delivery nozzle 185 in fluid communication with the tank 115 and the electronic control and command unit in such a case may be configured to operate the electro-mechanical pump 140 to deliver a predetermined amount of sanitising liquid through said delivery nozzle 185.

This delivery nozzle 185 is facing downwards, or alternatively horizontally (it cannot be facing upwards).

This delivery nozzle 185 is distinct from the refill nozzle 130, for example it is distal from the housing seat and from the gripping arrangement. The delivery nozzle 185, unlike the refill nozzle 130, is not provided with a sealing gasket placed at a free end thereof.

The refill apparatus may comprise a manual activation command, such as a button or preferably a non-contact sensor (such as a photocell), operatively connected to the electronic control and command unit, which is configured to deliver the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid through the delivery nozzle 185 upon receipt of a signal by said manual activation command.

The refill apparatus, i.e. the electro-mechanical pump 140, may comprise an electro valve (not illustrated) fluidically interposed between the refill nozzle 130 and the delivery nozzle 185, and commanded by the electronic control and command unit 175 to selectively send the delivery fluid to the refill nozzle 130 or to the delivery nozzle 185. The refill apparatus may comprise an optically visible light beam generator, such as a laser pointer 190, configured to generate a light beam 195 in a direction in which the delivery nozzle 185 delivers the sanitising liquid.

The electronic control and command unit 175 can be configured to perform an automated cleaning cycle in which it activates the delivery of a predetermined amount of cleaning sanitising liquid, in particular lower than the amount of sanitising liquid delivered for refilling the tank 20 and the amount of liquid sanitised and delivered following the manual activation command, through the refill nozzle, and for example also through the delivery nozzle 185, automatically after a predetermined time range since the last delivery.

In particular, the electronic control-command unit 175 is configured to measure the time elapsed since the last liquid delivery through each nozzle and to deliver the predetermined amount of cleaning sanitising liquid when the elapsed time exceeds a preset maximum limit time range, for example stored in the memory unit of the electronic control and command unit, or contained in a remote device with which the electronic control-command unit is operably connected via cable or wirelessly (e.g., a remote cloud device).

The refill apparatus 110,110’, 110”, 110’” in addition to the sanitising liquid refill, can also be configured to recharge the electric battery of the delivery device.

For this purpose, the refill apparatus may comprise either a wireless recharging device, in the event that the delivery device comprises a corresponding receiver for the wireless recharging, or electrical contacts adapted to form a galvanic connection with respective electrical contacts of the delivery device.

For example, these electrical contacts are positioned in the housing seat of the delivery device and/or in the gripping arrangement, so as to carry out the electrical recharging of the battery simultaneously with the refill of the tank 20.

The refill apparatus may also comprise a scanner 200 operatively connected to the electronic control and command unit 175 and adapted to measure the size of a hand positioned below the delivery nozzle and wherein the electronic control and command unit 175 is configured to calculate the area of the hand from the data received from said sensor and to deliver an amount of sanitising liquid proportional to the size of the calculated hand.

In this way it is possible to avoid wastes of sanitising liquid.

The operation of the invention is as follows.

In the illustrated embodiment the wearable element is a bracelet that the wearer can wear at his wrist. When the user needs the sanitising liquid contained in the tank, he has two possibilities: without touching the delivery device with his free hand, he can move the arm on which the bracelet is fixed according to a predetermined scheme, or he can perform a double touch of the delivery device. In both cases, after a predetermined time from which the electronic control and command unit 50 has detected the activation input, for example indicated by a vibration generated by the vibrating arrangement, the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid flows out of the delivery nozzle 30. The user just needs to place the free hand below the delivery nozzle 30 to collect the sanitising liquid delivered.

When the sanitising liquid inside the tank 20 is exhausted, information that can be detected by the electronic control and command unit by counting the number of deliveries of the predetermined amount of sanitising liquid since the last time the tank has been fully refilled or by a special level sensor, the user can be informed by a peculiar vibration scheme generated by the vibrating arrangement or by an alert signal sent by the wireless transceiver 55 to a remote device, such as a smartphone. Regardless of the user’s information methodology (there may also be no alert message for the user), the user can go to a refill device for refilling the delivery device.

For example, the user can remove the delivery device from the wearable element and insert it into the housing seat of the refill apparatus and/or into the gripping arrangement. In both cases, once the delivery device is permanently fixed to the refill apparatus, said refill apparatus automatically begins to send sanitising liquid to the tank 20.

While the tank 20 is being refilled, the refill apparatus also recharges the battery of the delivery device.

Once the tank has been refilled, the user can withdraw the delivery device 15 and hook it back to the wearable element.

The refill apparatus illustrated is also provided with the delivery nozzle for delivering sanitising liquid on site, directly on the hands of the user.

In this case, the user, after having sent the manual activation signal (for example through a smartphone or a button/sensor directly on the box-shaped body of the refill apparatus), can place the hand below the delivery nozzle, in particular so that the optically visible light beam intercepts the middle of the palm of the hand.

The figures illustrate refill apparatuses configured to refill the delivery device of the figures, however with a different shape of the housing seat and/or of the gripping means, and possibly a different positioning of the refill nozzle it is possible to make available refill apparatuses capable of refilling different portable apparatuses, such as simple bottles of sanitising liquid, i.e. elastically deformable tanks provided with a delivery nozzle and a removable closure cap of this nozzle. For example in that case the refill nozzle could also be arranged vertically, upwards or downwards, instead of substantially horizontally as in the illustrated embodiments. In particular, the refill nozzle, instead of being in one between the first wall and the second wall, may be interposed between the two. The invention thus conceived is susceptible to several modifications and variations, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept.

Moreover, all details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the contingent shapes and sizes, can be whatever according to the requirements without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.