Patent Publication Number: US-10315815-B2

Title: Ingredient dispensing system for dispensing an ingredient into a container

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This non-provisional application takes priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/099,177 filed on Jan. 1, 2015 and incorporates the entirety of same by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to a measurement, reminder and ingredient dispensing system attached with a container, and more specifically relates to an ingredient dispensing system for dispensing an ingredient into a container with ability to communicate data to a communicating device of a user through a communication network. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Water is crucial for the human being. Every system in the body depends on water. The human body made up of between 55 and 75 percent water, is in need of timely water replenishment. Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when someone does not have enough water in his/her body to carry on normal functions. Even mild dehydration—as little as a 1 percent to 2 percent loss of the body weight—can exhaust the energy and make a person tired. 
     Dehydration poses a particular health risk for the very young and the very old. Signs and symptoms of dehydration includes but not limited to excessive thirst, fatigue, headache, dry mouth, little or no urination, muscle weakness, dizziness etc. People seem to carry bottled water everywhere they go. Health practitioners all over the world suggest drinking at least eight glasses of water a day. 
     There are plenty of other reasons to add supplements to water such as vitamins, minerals, salts, oil etc. The major reasons for drinking water includes maintaining the balance of body fluids, controlling calories, energizing muscles, maintaining skin quality, and helping kidneys. 
     Further, it is frequently required that the measured amount of supplements is added to a measured amount of the other chemical. Several non-active and active supplements such as medicine, flavors, vitamins, syrup, salts, isotones, food coloring, minerals and nutrients that would be desirable to be added to liquids such as water, juices or other beverages to give the consumer added benefits, particularly those useful for the health of the consumer. 
     Many foods, medicines, and other substances are often supplied in various forms such as liquid, powder or crystal form and have a limited shelf-life after they have been mixed and stored. Such products are required to be utilized soon after mixing due to various incompatibilities like deterioration, discoloration, interactions and the like. Hence, many beverages are currently sold without the added beneficial ingredients. 
     In slow release process for better absorption, the ingredients (vitamin) is dispensed into the container and is taken with the fluid over the day. Therefore, there is a need of an ingredient dispensing system for dispensing an ingredient into a container. Further, the ingredient dispensing system receives command from the computing device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an ingredient dispensing system for dispensing an ingredient into a container is disclosed. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an ingredient dispensing system for dispensing an ingredient into a container. The container contains a neck and stores a material. The ingredient dispensing system communicates with a computing device over a communication network. The ingredient dispensing system includes a cap, a printed circuit board, a controller, a dispenser, a battery, a battery holder and a housing unit. 
     The cap includes an ergonometric opening for receiving a neck of the container, the cap having an indent parallel to the neck of the container, the printed circuit board placed on the cap parallel to the indent in the cap, the printed circuit board is having a nozzle receiving slot, and the controller connected to the printed circuit board for releasing signals for at least one of the output unit, the dispenser, a first sensor and a second sensor. 
     The dispenser connected to the printed circuit board dispenses on receiving the signal from the controller, the battery power the controller and the dispenser, the battery holder for holding the battery on the printed circuit board and the housing unit attached to the cap for housing the battery holder, the battery, the dispenser and the printed circuit board. 
     The housing unit includes a compartment for storing the ingredient and a nozzle protruding from the compartment passes through the nozzle receiving slot and the neck for transferring the ingredient to the container; wherein the dispenser dispenses the ingredient in the compartment to move through the nozzle into the container on receiving processed signals from the controller. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a first sensor connected to the printed circuit board and further disposed in the indent of the cap for sensing the material level inside the container, wherein the controller receives the sensed signals from the first sensor. Another object of the present invention is to provide a second sensor connected to the printed circuit board and further disposed in the indent of the cap for detecting the opening and closing of the ergonometric opening of the cap. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a collector assembly positioned within the neck of the container. The collector assembly receives the ingredient from the nozzle. In order to drink, the user tilts the container resulting in tipping of the ingredient from the collector into the material of the container, and then the user consumes the material with the ingredient through the neck of the container. 
     These and other features and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of an ingredient dispensing system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a side cross section view of the ingredient dispensing system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the ingredient dispensing system pivotally attached to the container in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of a housing unit in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side cross section view of the ingredient dispensing system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings. 
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily been drawn accurately or to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Similarly one or several physical components may be included in one functional block or element or divided into more than one functional unit or element. Some of the blocks depicted in the figures may be combined into a single function. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     While this technology is illustrated and described in a preferred embodiment, an ingredient dispensing system for dispensing an ingredient into a container may be produced in different sizes, shapes and colors. This is depicted in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, as a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and the associated functional specifications for its construction and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within the scope of the technology described herein. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of an ingredient dispensing system  100  for dispensing ingredient into a material of a container  102 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The ingredient dispensing system  100  communicates with a computing device  104  over a communication network  106 . The container  102  includes a neck  108  and stores a material. 
     The ingredient dispensing system  100  includes a cap  110 , a printed circuit board  112 , a controller  114 , a dispenser  116 , a battery  118 , a battery holder  120  and a housing unit  122 . The cap  110  receives the neck  108  of the container  102 . The cap  110  further includes an indent  124  parallel to the neck  108  of the container  102 . The cap  110  further includes an ergonometric opening  126 . 
     The printed circuit board  112  is placed on the cap  110  parallel to the indent  124  in the cap  110 . The printed circuit board  112  is having a nozzle receiving slot  128 . The controller  114  is connected to the printed circuit board  112  and is further programmed to release signals. 
     The dispenser  116  is connected to the printed circuit board  112  for dispensing the ingredient on receiving the signal from the controller  114 . The battery  118  powers the controller  114  and the dispenser  116 . The battery holder  120  holds the battery  118  on the printed circuit board  112 . 
     The housing unit  122  is attached to the cap  110  for housing the battery holder  120 , the battery  118 , the dispenser  116 , the controller  114  and the printed circuit board  112 . The housing unit  122  includes a compartment  130  for storing the ingredient and a nozzle  132  protruding from the compartment  130  passes through the nozzle receiving slot  128 , the dispenser  116  and the neck  108  for transferring the ingredient into the container  102 . 
     The dispenser  116  dispenses to move the ingredient in the compartment  130  through the nozzle  132  into the container  102  on receiving the processed signals from the controller  114 . The position of the nozzle  132  and the dispenser  116  is explained in detail in conjunction with  FIG. 2  of the present invention. 
     In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ingredient dispensing system  100  further includes a first sensor  134  connected to the printed circuit board  112 . The first sensor  134  is further disposed in the indent  124  of the cap  110  for sensing the material level inside the container  102 . The controller  114  receives the sensed signals from the first sensor  134 . 
     In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ingredient dispensing system  100  further includes a second sensor  136  connected to the printed circuit board  112 . Further, the second sensor  136  is disposed in the indent  124  for detecting the opening and closing of the ergonometric opening  126  of the cap  110 . The second sensor  136  sends the signal to the controller  114 . 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller  114  may further communicates with the computing device  104 . The controller  114  receives commands from the computing device  104  to release signals for the output unit  138 , the first sensor  134 , the dispenser  116 , and the second sensor  136 . Further, the controller sends the processed signals received from the first sensor  134  and the second sensor  136  to the computing device  104 . 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ingredient dispensing system  100  further includes an output unit  138  connected to the printed circuit board  112  for releasing output signals on receiving command from the controller  114 . The output unit  138  releases output signals when the detected level of the material inside the container  102  by the first sensor  134  is below then a predefined level of the material inside the container  102  or after a certain pre-defined time stored in the controller  114 . 
     Example of output unit  138  includes but not limited to an audio unit for generating audio signals on receiving reminder signals from the controller  114 , one or more light emitting sources connected to illuminate on receiving reminding signals from the controller  114 , and a vibration unit to produce vibration signals on receiving reminding signals from the controller  114 . Examples of light emitting sources include but not limited to LED, organic lighting and floresecent effect; and examples of audio unit include but not limited to speakers, buzzer, piezoelectric buzzer etc. 
     Examples of the first sensor  134  includes an optical sensor, a capacitive sensor and an ultrasonic sensor and the examples of the second sensor  136  includes but not limited to touch sensor, a gyro sensor, a vibration sensor, magnetic sensor, optical sensor, and an electro-mechanic sensor. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the usage of the second sensor  136  is to reduce the battery consumption. The second sensor  136  controls the operation profile of the first sensor  134 . For exemplary purposes, the first sensor  134  measures the material level only after detection of attaching/detaching of the cap  110  by the second sensor  136 . 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ingredient dispensing system  100  further includes a communication unit to communicate with the computing device  104 . The wireless communication unit may use various ways of the communication technologies such as wireless technology, near field communication, sonic/ultrasonic technology, or optical technology. Examples of the wireless technology include but not limited to Bluetooth, Bluetooth smart (BLE), Li-Fi, Wi-Fi, ANT, ZigBee, or any other proprietary communication protocol/frequency (band). 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates a side cross section view of the ingredient dispensing system  100  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser  116  is an electro-mechanical unit that dispenses to move the ingredient in the compartment  130  through the nozzle  132  through the neck  108  into the container  102 . 
     The dispenser  116  creates a pressure on the nozzle  132  to receive ingredient from the compartment  130  and then further the ingredient passes through the nozzle  132  and is dispensed into the container  102 . Examples of the dispenser  116  include but not limited to dispensing pump, electronic controlled valve, MEMS tipping module etc. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of the ingredient dispensing system  100  pivotally attached to the container  102 . The ergonometric opening  126  allows a user to remove the cap  110  from the container  102 . This allows a user to consume the material through the neck of the container  102 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a side perspective view of a housing unit  122  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The ingredient  302  is stored inside the compartment  130 . The ingredient  302  moves out through the nozzle  132 . Examples of ingredient  302  includes but not limited to medicine, flavors, vitamins, syrup, salts, isotones, food coloring, minerals and nutrients. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a side cross section view of the ingredient dispensing system  400  for releasing ingredient into a container  402  in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The ingredient dispensing system  400  communicates with a computing device  404  over a communication network  406 . The container  402  includes a neck  408 . 
     The ingredient dispensing system  400  includes a cap  410 , a printed circuit board  412 , a controller (not shown in  FIG. 4 ), a dispenser  416 , a battery  418 , a battery holder  420 , a housing unit  422  and a collector assembly  423 . The cap  410  receives the neck  408  of the container  402 . The cap  410  further includes an indent (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) parallel to the neck  408  of the container  402 . The cap  410  further includes an ergonometric opening  426 . 
     The printed circuit board  412  is placed on the cap  410  parallel to the indent in the cap  410 . The printed circuit board  412  is having a nozzle receiving slot (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). The controller (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) is connected to the printed circuit board  412  and is further programmed to release signals. 
     The dispenser  416  is connected to the printed circuit board  412  for dispensing the ingredient on receiving the signal from the controller (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). The battery  418  powers the controller (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) and the dispenser  416 . The battery holder  420  holds the battery  418  on the printed circuit board  412 . 
     The housing unit  422  is attached to the cap  410  for housing the battery holder  420 , the battery  418 , the dispenser  416 , the controller (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) and the printed circuit board  412 . The housing unit  422  includes a compartment  430  for storing the ingredient and a nozzle  432  protruding from the compartment  430  passes through the nozzle receiving slot (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) and the neck  408  for transferring the ingredient into the container  402 . 
     The collector assembly  423  is positioned within the neck  408  of the container  402 . The collector assembly  423  includes a collector  425 , a first thread  427  and a second thread  429 . The collector  425  receives ingredient from the nozzle  432  through the neck  408 . The collector  425  is having a first side  425   a  and a second side  425   b.    
     The first thread  427  is to connect the first side  425   a  of the collector  425  to the neck  408  and the second thread  429  to connect the second side  425   b  of the collector  425  to the neck  408 . The first thread  427  and the second thread  429  maintain the position of the collector  425  parallel to the indent. 
     Further, the dispenser  416  dispenses the ingredient in the compartment  430  to move through the nozzle  432  into the collector  425  on receiving processed signals from the controller (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). In order to drink, a user tilts the container  402  resulting in tilting of the collector  425  and thus the user consumes the ingredient along with the material. 
     The purpose of moving the ingredient inside the collector  425  is to avoid the ingredient to get mix with the whole material. The user can easily consume the ingredient with the material without dropping the ingredient into the material. For example, the ingredient is an olive oil which is to be drunk with water but the whole water cannot be mixed with the olive oil and therefore the olive oil is dropped in the container to tilt it slightly on the top layer of the water and to be drunk through the neck  408  of the container  402 . 
     In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ingredient dispensing system  100  further includes a first sensor (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) connected to the printed circuit board  112  for sensing the material level inside the container  402 . The controller (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) receives the sensed signals from the first sensor. 
     In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ingredient dispensing system  100  further includes a second sensor (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) connected to the printed circuit board  112  for detecting the opening and closing of the ergonometric opening  126  of the cap  110 . The second sensor sends the signal to the controller (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller (not shown in  FIG. 4 ) may further communicate with the computing device  404 . The controller receives commands from the computing device  404  to release signals for the output unit (not shown in  FIG. 4 ), the first sensor (not shown in  FIG. 4 ), the dispenser  416 , and the second sensor (not shown in  FIG. 4 ). Further, the controller sends the processed signals received from the first sensor and the second sensor to the computing device  404 . 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, example of material includes but not limited to water, juices, powder such as coffee, cleaning materials and nutrient supplements etc. Examples of the controller  114  includes but not limited to a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a DSP, ASIC etc. The housing unit  122  and the housing unit  422  are configured according to the shape and size of the cap  110  and the cap  410 . 
     Examples of the communication network  106  and the communication network  406  includes but not limited to NFC, Bluetooth, Bluetooth smart (BLE), Li-Fi, Wi-Fi, ANT, ZigBee, or any other proprietary communication protocol/frequency (band). Examples of near field communication includes but not limited to magnetic NFC, Radio-frequency identification (RFID). 
     Examples of the computing device  104  and the computing device  404  includes but not limited to mobile, smartphone, iPad, tablets, phablet, smart watch, computer, laptop, a handheld computer, a desktop, a display device or any other computing device capable of wirelessly interacting with our system. 
     The present invention offers various advantages such as addition of supplements into the diet without needing of the user to go somewhere to bring on the supplements. Also, the present invention offers to take supplements in slow release for better absorption. Further, the present invention reminds the user to take supplements on time and when required. 
     Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.