Container, assembly and method of identifying a content of a container

Abstract

An assembly ( 100 ) comprises a container ( 10 ) comprising a container body ( 13 ) and at least one protrusion ( 102 ); and an identification device ( 120 ) comprising a plurality of transmitter-receiver pairs ( 110 ). Each transmitter-receiver pair is formed of one transmitter ( 112 ) to send a signal ( 116 ) and one receiver ( 114 ) configured to detect the signal ( 116 ) sent from the transmitter ( 112 ), characterized in that each of the at least one protrusion ( 102 ) is positioned to block a signal ( 116 ) between one of the transmitter-receiver pairs ( 110 ) when the container ( 10 ) is coupled to the identification device ( 120 ). A method of identifying a content of the container ( 10 ).

1 . An assembly ( 100 ) comprising:
 a container ( 10 ) comprising a container body ( 13 ) and at least one protrusion ( 102 );   an identification device ( 120 ) comprising a plurality of transmitter-receiver pairs ( 110 ), wherein each pair is formed of one transmitter ( 112 ) to send a signal ( 116 ) and one receiver ( 114 ) configured to detect the signal ( 116 ) sent from the transmitter ( 112 ),   characterized in that each of the at least one protrusion ( 102 ) is positioned to block a signal ( 116 ) between one of the transmitter-receiver pairs ( 110 ) when the container ( 10 ) is coupled to the identification device ( 120 ).   
     
     
         2 . The assembly ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the container ( 10 ) comprises a cap ( 50 ) and the at least one protrusion ( 102 ) extends from the cap ( 50 ). 
     
     
         3 . The assembly ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the number of and/or configuration of the at least one protrusion ( 102 ) defines the one or more signals ( 116 ) blocked between transmitter-receiver pairs ( 110 ). 
     
     
         4 . The assembly ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the number of and/or configuration of signals ( 116 ) blocked between transmitter-receiver pairs ( 110 ) indicates contents of the container ( 10 ). 
     
     
         5 . The assembly ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the identification device ( 120 ) further comprises an engagement means ( 122 ) for connecting the identification device ( 120 ) to a cleaning appliance ( 200 ) with an automatic dosing function. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmitters ( 112 ) and the receivers ( 114 ) are configured to provide contactless detection. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the container ( 10 ) further comprises an opening on a surface of the body ( 36 ) for dispensing a cleaning product and a valve ( 60 ) for controlling liquid flow of the cleaning product, wherein the opening ( 36 ) is configured cooperate with the identification device ( 120 ) in order to provide a liquid conduit ( 24 ) from the container ( 10 ) to the cleaning appliance ( 200 ). 
     
     
         8 . The assembly ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protrusion ( 102 ) is formed integrally with the container ( 10 ) or a container cap ( 50 ). 
     
     
         9 . The assembly ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protrusion ( 102 ) is made of non-conducting material and/or waterproof material. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protrusion ( 102 ) is made of an opaque material for light in an infrared, an ultraviolet, and/or visible part of the spectrum. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions ( 102 ) are made of plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly ( 100 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the container ( 10 ) is a cartridge configured to be placed into an insert ( 204 ) of a cleaning product dispensing unit ( 202 ) of a cleaning appliance ( 200 ). 
     
     
         13 . A method of identifying a content of a container ( 10 ), the method comprising steps of:
 providing an identification device ( 120 ) comprising a plurality of transmitter-receiver pairs ( 110 ), wherein each pair is formed of one transmitter ( 112 ) to send a signal ( 116 ) and one receiver ( 114 ) configured to detect the signal ( 116 ) sent from the transmitter ( 112 );   providing a container ( 10 ) comprising a container body ( 13 ) and at least one protrusion ( 102 );   characterized in that the method further comprises the steps of:   coupling the container ( 10 ) to the identification device ( 120 ) such that the at least one protrusion ( 102 ) is positioned to block any signal ( 116 ) between one of the transmitter-receiver pairs ( 110 ); and   identifying a content of the container ( 10 ) based on the number and/or configuration of transmitter signals ( 116 ) blocked.   
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , the method further comprising steps of: producing an alert signal if no cleaning product container is detected.