WO2021150173A1

WO2021150173A1 - Automatic machine for mixing, dispensing, and vending perfumes

Info

Publication number: WO2021150173A1
Application number: PCT/SY2021/000001
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aziz MARASHLY; Mohamad SULIMAN; Waseem BALLOUL
Original assignee: Marashly Aziz; Suliman Mohamad; Balloul Waseem
Priority date: 2020-01-23
Filing date: 2021-01-17
Publication date: 2021-07-29

Abstract

A machine that mixes, dispenses, and vends perfume in an automated way; replaces completely or partially the perfume sale attendant. Mechanical work mainly depends on the three-dimensional movement of axis, and the process of transporting materials from tanks to final packaging. Electronic work mainly depends on feeding loads and receiving electrical signals from sensors. Programming mainly depends on showing interfaces, interacting with the user and securing data transfers over the local and global network.

Description

Automatic Machine for Mixing, dispensing, and vending perfumes

1. The idea: The idea of the invention is to design and fabricate a machine that mixes, composes, dispenses, and sells perfumes automatically, then presents the product to the customer with or without a simple human interference.

In addition, this machine will provide a perfume composition that is suitable for the individual customer preferences using intelligent algorithms in an automated way. The system (machine) will provide several options of additions and mixing proportions/types of perfume oils, in different concentrations, with the possibility of testing each option before deciding on the preferred option that will be the base of the next process that is to prepare the final product for the customer. The user (i.e. the customer in this - context) will be able to interact with the machine through a touch input interface "as in Figure (1)", and the user will be able to experience the final fragrance before preparation, then the machine sets the perfume and presents it to the user.

The owner of the machine can interact with the machine via the same touch screen, or by connecting to the machine via smart phones.

Moreover, there is a possibility of creating a network of machines connected to each other throughout special servers, so that we can have a social network for perfume lovers, and customers of the perfume machine, where they can share their experiences of mixing perfumes, and the distinctive perfumes that they have made.

Also, they can rate the existing perfumes, and pay electronically through the same network.

Marketing features will be developed, such as promotional cards that are sold to shops, and used by the user via this machine. Background

Currently, there are some identified problems faced by the perfume profession and the world of perfumes, that start from perfume shops all the way up to the perfume oil companies.

The previous situation of the perfume profession can be described by the target group as follows:

3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

The detailed description will be divided into three sections:

1. Simplified explanation of the process as a whole

2. Software section

3. Mechanical Section

4. Electronic Section

1. Simplified explanation of the process as a whole:

The process starts with selecting a suitable bottle type (spray or else) and appropriate size by the user through the input screen. The selected bottle can be automatically fed from the bottle's storage encased inside the machine.

Then the user selects the options on the touch screen, including the type of desired perfumes and concentrations, then the machine mixes them in very small quantities to allow the customer to experience the smell by making it filter on a piece of highly absorbent paper. So, if the customer agrees, the process of filling will begin in the selected bottle.

The perfume oils inside the machine will be placed in smart packages, that send the status of the materials inside them (residual quantities, automatic close-open, saved ID). The machine is based on several mechanical applications to give results of previous operations, such as automatic feeding, mixing operations, and transporting and mixing of perfume oil, stabilizers and other materials to their proper discharge, and automatic close of the perfume bottle.

The multi-stages of mixing are separated by cleaning processes, to prevent the overlap of previous perfume odors.

The filling and mixing stages end with sealing the perfume product within its bottle, followed by the stage of printing fragrance's name on the package for identification.

The machine allows the customer to print the specification of their own fragrance on a separate paper (i.e. print out) using thermal printer inside the machine.

2. Software section:

The software section will be divided into:

1. Machine embedded software.

2. Smartphones app.

3. Web app.

4. Central server.

5. Service Centers app.

6. Financial Department app.

7. Marketing Department app.

8. Administration app. Machine embedded software:

The embedded software includes the user interface, internal database, and the needed module to link to the central server in order to ensure communication with all machines. The mechanical parts are controlled by an internal controller that communicates with the embedded software using embedded interface.

The built-in program consists of a fully studied and easy-to-use interface that examines use cases, including:

1. Access the platform's personal account.

2. Browse perfume that exists in the machine or the system.

3. Browse personal perfumes saved in the user library.

4. Browse customer-generated suggestions.

5. Mixing perfumes and creating a new fragrance.

6. Order and fill perfume bottle.

7. Access the machine settings "owner-specific".

8. Access the status and settings of the perfume oils "owner-specific".

The user starts logging-in either:

1. By their personal account

2. As a guest after logging-in, an interface will display the new perfumes and suggestions, as well as the personal preferences that are generated by the central server, in case the login was with the personal account.

The user has 3 choices to start with:

1. To access the favorite list then choose from saved perfumes

2. To mix perfume from the existing formulations from the oil company

3. To create a new perfume mixture.

In case the user wants to fill a perfume from the pre-existing mixture, they start selecting the size and concentration of the package and then the filling process starts.

In case the user wants to create a new perfume, all available perfumes will be displayed with full information about each one with the possibility of trying it. Then they start by choosing the desired perfumes with a personal assistant (artificial intelligence), who helps them to choose the right perfumes, and the appropriate proportions for each one, to avoid all unpleasant odors, in addition to display the information and characteristics of the resulting fragrance family, this selection is made with the help of both the perfume pyramid and the aromatic wheel (technical terms in the fragrance and perfume industry). There is a special module for the owner of the machine and the technical support team that they can access, where they can customize the settings of the machine, including network connection, external lighting settings and payment settings, as well as monitoring and modifying the status of the essential oil bottles, all these settings are protected by "one-time passcode" technology of the device that comes withthe machine. Smartphone app:

The idea is to create a social network that brings together the perfume lovers, in order to share their experiences and favorite fragrances and to evaluate existing fragrances. Fragrance experts will also be involved in this community and earn a profit if their perfume mixes make a hit.

As for the owner, he/she can monitor the status of the machine(s) and adjust the settings throughout the application itself. Web app:

The user can do all steps on the web page instead of a smartphone app. Central server:

The central server saves the users' information, perfume mixture, machines data, perfumes, and all the information required information for the system.

All data that has been collected is processed by Artificial Intelligence algorithms, and the results are studied, and modified, then eventually perfume mixture suggestions are produced for each user. It also connects all parts of the software architecture. Service Centers app:

This program is directed to the technical team of the perfume oil company, where all the machines that belong to this company, and their content of perfume oils, and raw materials, for each machine, are shown and displayed. Also, the program provides notifications when any perfume oil tank comes to a near end, so the technical team can act quickly to replace it.

It also offers suggestions for the distribution of perfume oils on the machines effectively, based on statistics and recommendations of the marketing team.

The program manages the technical team, and distributes tasks to the team, in addition to replying to any call that is issued by any machine to the technical team. Financial Department app:

This program is directed to the financial department where the price of perfumes is determined, in addition to the possibility of offering certain discounts.

The program also displays real-time financial reports to monitor the revenue, expected profits, and different sales figures. Marketing Department app:

This program is directed to the marketing department, where they can choose some types of perfume for which to display ads on the machines' screens, in addition to provide live reports on the marketing situation and methods to improve it. Moreover, it displays graphically a geographic map and the perfume requests that are distributed on it. Administration app:

This module is directed to the management where all data and real-time statistics are displayed, so they can follow-up on all machines with one program, and they can have the needed information and reports about the operation from a business point of view. 3. Mechanical Section:

The mechanical section consists mainly of:

1. The pump.

2. Moving axes.

3. Sockets for essential oils.

4. Perfume bottle socket.

5. Distilled water and alcohol pumps.

6. Machine body.

1. The pump:

Consisting of: o Stepper motor o lead screw. o A metal piston with a nut inside and a rubber seal outer (rubber bracelet to prevent oil leakage). o needle attached at the end of the piston.

2. Moving axes:

Consisting of 3 axes (X - Y - Z), the movement is semi-Cartesian so that the difference is the Z axis is tilted at an angle of 45 ° degree.

The machine uses metal axes with linear bearings. The flexible belts are used for moving transmission.

3. Sockets for essential oils:

The essential oil bottles are positioned on the front side inside the machine, these bottles are carried by plastic shelves.

4. Perfume bottle socket:

The place where the perfume bottle is filled.

5. Distilled water and alcohol pumps:

Both of them consist of a tank containing liquid and a stepper motor pump to transfer liquid to the perfume bottle.

6. Machine body:

It is the body that carries the machine parts and shapes it externally. Its shape and sizes should be taken into consideration, so that the machine can be placed in stores and other target points.

The mechanical movement as well as the pump and the mechanism as a whole are clearly explained in the drawings section. Electronic Section:

The electronic section consists mainly of:

1. Motherboard.

2. Motion control board.

3. Power supply. Motherboard:

It's a board that has an Android operating system (or other) and it's connected to the touch screen, thermal printer, motion control board and the rest of the external devices. Motion control board:

It's a board that is responsible for the stepper motors movement and the machine terminals. Also, it's responsible for receiving the sensor signals of the machine. Figure (2 - 3)

It consists of an ATMEGA2560 microcontroller or other variant that is programmable in C language or other language.

It contains the program for movement and management of terminals and sensors.

It operates on a 24-volt and connects with the motherboard via a USB connection protocol.

The board consists as an example of: o ATMEGA2560 microcontroller o DC-DC converter (24 » 5) Volt o DC-DC converter (24 » 12) Volt o Stepper motor drivers o LED driver. o UART TTL to RS-485 module for Arduino communication transceiver o The signals receiving board.

Board-related terminals: o RC522 RFID Module 13.56 MHz. o End-Stop sensors, o The perfume pump driver o Stepper motors o Solenoid liquid valves. o Humidity sensor to determine the humidity inside the machine o Temperature sensor to determine the temperature inside the machine, o Capacitive sensor to determine the level of liquid inside the perfume bottle o An electric check switch that checks if the perfume bottle is in place when filling o Mist maker, the motion control board turns off and operates this device at specified intervals of time. o RGB LEDs, So the condition of the machine is determined by the color of the light.

It also has backup ports including (5V port - 12V port - USB port - UART port - SPI port). Power supply board:

It receives alternating household electricity with a voltage of 220V and transforms it into a constant voltage with a voltage of 24V.

Claims

1. A machine that mixes perfumes from raw materials.

2. The machine, as in the claim 1, fills the product in containers.

3. The machine, as in the claim 1 or 2, accomplishes the product selling process.

4. The machine, as in the claim 1 or 2 or 3, helps the perfume mixing and selling person in their work in filling and mixing perfume accurately.

5. The machine, as in the claim 1 or 2 or 3, automates, partially or completely, the tasks performed by the perfume mixing-and-selling professional.

6. The machine, as in the claim 4, helps perfume mixing-and-selling person in a semi or a fully automated way.

7. The machine, as in the claim 4, helps to optimize accuracy in filling and mixing.

8. The machine, as in the claim 1 or 2 or 3, fills or mixes (i.e. mixing more than one essential ingredient), or composes perfumes from essential ingredients.

9. The machine, as in the claim 1 or 2 or 3, operates regularly without any human interference (except the customer and the maintenance person)

10. The machine, as in the claim 1 or 2 or 3, consists of:

10.1. Containers and storage for the raw material.

10.2. Means of Communication with the machine (examples: buttons, touch screen,...).

10.3. A mechanism to get the raw materials from their designated stores.

10.4. A mechanism to mix the ingredients.

10.5. A mechanism to put the end product in the final container.

11. The machine as in the claim 10, also consists of:

11.1. Containers for the perfume oils.

11.2. Containers for the additional materials (examples: dyes, fixings, ...).

11.3. Stores for empty bottles, in which the end product will be filled.

11.4. Automatic feeding of empty bottles, in which the end product will be filled.

11.5. A built-in bowl for mixing liquid components.

11.6. A device to transfer the raw materials during the preparation of the final product.

11.7. Valves to control the flovy of liquid materials from the containers.

11.8. Movement axes.

11.9. A built-in controller that controls the machine's functionality.

11.10. An embedded computer that is responsible for the display, input, and communication with the server, and with the built-in controller.

12. The machine as in the claim 11, also consists of:

12.1. Automatic closing of the final product.

12.2. A built-in evaporator.

12.3. A built-in printing device.

12.4. A touch screen. 13. As in the claim 11, perfume containers are featured in:

13.1. Sealable.

13.2. Equipped with a built-in chip that is able to store data (examples: RFID card).

13.3. Interchangeable and consumable.

14. As in the claim 11, the device that transfers the raw materials consists of:

14.1. The device body.

14.2. Moving parts of the syringe that is included in the device body

14.3. The needle that is connected to the syringe which is used to transfer the materials.

14.4. A motor for moving the different moving parts (examples: syringe , lead screw, Coupling, ... ).

14.5. Sensors that are connected to an embedded board.

15. As in the claim 14, the device that transfers the raw materials, has the following features:

15.1. Delivers the raw materials of the perfume.

15.2. Uses stepper motor or servo motor.

15.3. Uses a light sensor.

15.4. High accuracy and auto cleaning.

16. The machine, as in the claim 1 or 2 or 3, has the following features:

16.1. The possibility of direct spray of the perfume.

16.2. Experience, test and smell perfumes.

16.3. The machine can be controlled remotely.

16.4. Connected to the Internet.

16.5. Data store.

16.6. Personal data and user profiling.

16.7. Targeted perfume suggestion for each user.

16.8. Mixing and composing perfume with the help of the perfume mix algorithm which is embedded in the machine program.

17. The machine, as in the claim 1 or 2 or 3, has the following features:

17.1. Connects with a financial and management system.

17.2. All machines are connected, wirely or wirelessly, to one central system.

17.3. Equipped with artificial intelligence algorithm for filling and mixing perfume.

17.4. Automatically dispatches service requests to the service center (example: refill raw material, maintenance, ...).

18. As in the claim 16, The mechanism of experiencing the smell of the perfume (i.e. testing the perfume) is done by an evaporator.

19. As in the claim 16, The mechanism of experiencing the smell of the perfume (i.e. testing the perfume) is done by placing blended samples of the perfume on a material that can be smelled (example: blotting paper).