GB2435465A

GB2435465A - Drinks container with contents monitoring means

Info

Publication number: GB2435465A
Application number: GB0603801A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nathan Murphy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-25
Filing date: 2006-02-25
Publication date: 2007-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2026-02-25
Also published as: GB0603801D0; GB2435465B

Abstract

A drinks container 1 provided with contents monitoring means, a control means and an alarm means, in which the control means is adapted to activate the alarm means if the contents monitoring means indicates that the quantity of a drink in the container is not falling at a predetermined rate. The alarm means may be a visual alarms such as an LED cluster 2. The base 3 may be provided with a locating boss 5 and the reservoir 4 may have a locating socket 6. The LED cluster is preferably located at the top of the boss 5 so it can be viewed through the reservoir.

Description

DRINKS CONTAINER

This invention relates to a drinks container adapted to indicate if ifs contents are rot being consumed at a sufficient rate, for use particularly, but not exclusivel, in monitoring a user's water intake.

According to the present invention a drinks container is provided with contents montoring means, a control means and an alarm means, in which the control means is adapted to activate the alarm means if the contents monitoring means indicates that the quantity of a drink in the container is not falling at a pre-determined rate.

The alarm means can be an audible alarm or a vibrating alarm, but can preferably be a visual alarm.

In a preferred construction the drinks container can comprise a base and a reservoir, and the base can be provided with a locating boss and the reservoir with a locating socket which fits onto it. The alarm means can comprise an illumination means provided at a top of the boss, and the reservoir can be substantially transparent so the illumination means can be seen. Preferably an inner end of the socket can be substantially in the centre of the reservoV. This creates the most visually striking effect.

It will be appreciated that the container can contain any drink, however, in a preferred construction it can be for carrying water, and the pre-determined rate at which the quantity of water should fall can be a consumption rate at which water should be consumed by one pre-determined human user.

Thus, the alarm will activate if the user is not consuming enough water to keep them suitably hydrated. It will be appreciated that this quantity of water varies frDm person to person, and therefore, in a preferred construction the control means can be provided with input data on the sex and/or size and/or weight of the pre-determined human user, and the consumption rate can be adjusted according to this input data. The container can be provided with input controls adapted to allow said input data to be set.

The container can also be provided with thermometer means adapted to measure the ambient temperature, and the consumption rate can be that at which water should be consumed by the pre-determined human user in that ambient emperature.

In one construction the consumption rate can be the total water which should be consumed by the pre-determined human user. The amount of water any given category of person should consume over a 24 hour period is well documented, and the consumption rate can be set according to any of this known daTa.

It will be appreciated that if the device is set up in this way it will not function correctly should the user consume water acquired from elsewhere.

Therefore, in one construction the consumption rate can be less than the total water wi-ich should be consumed by the pre-determined human user.

For example, an average male should consume just over three litres of wafer a day. However, on average about 20 per cent of this is consumed via solid food intake and drinks consumed at meal times. Therefore, the consumption rate can be two and a half litres of water over the average waking hours of a 24 hour perioc. This way, the user can consume food and meal time drinks as normal, and the device will indicate if the user is consuming enough water outside of meal times.

In one embodiment the illumination means can comprise two or more illumination colours. A first colour can be illuminated if the quantity of a drink in the container is not falling at a first pre-determined rate, and one or more further colours can be illuminated if the contents monitoring means indicates that the quantity of a drink in the container is not falling at one or more further pre-d&ermined rates, which further pre-determined rates are lower than the first pre-determined rate. Thus, the illumination means can illuminate a first colour to indicate that the rate the water is falling has dropped below the first pre-determined rate and water should be consumed, and if none is within a given period, the rate the water falls will drop below a second pre-determined rcte and a second colour can be illuminated. From there a third colour can be illuminated and so on. Instead of indicating different colours, the illumination means could also change the manner in which one colour is illuminated, fo example from a flashing light to a solid light.

The illurriination means can also turn on and off at intervals when the quantity of drink is falling above the first pre-determined rate. With this arrangement he user can see that the device is functioning correctly, and that they are consuming enough water.

In a preferred construction the base can comprise a reservoir platform supported by support section. The reservoir can be provided with an outlet valve on an underside thereof, and the outlet valve can be laterally spaced from the reserioir platform when the locating boss is located in the locating socket. The oLtlet valve can be biased shut, and can be opened by a downward movement. Preferably the support section can be provided with a lever, which is connected to the outlet valve such that downward movement of the lever opens the outlet valve.

In one embodiment the drinks container can be provided with contents refrigeration means of any known type.

The drin<s container can also be provided with a variable flow outlet valve comprisng a tube defining an outlet passageway and an adjustment member mounted thereon. The adjustment member can comprise a sleeve axially adjustably mounted on an outer surface of the tube by means of a screw thread. Further, the adjustment member can have a downwardly depending section which extends below a bottom of the tube, and a flow restriction mernber can be mounted on an inner surface of the downwardly depending section and can be axially aligned with the outlet passageway.

The flow restriction member can comprise a tapered member, such that vertical alignment of the flow restriction member in relation to the outlet passageway can variably restrict flow therethrough.

In addition, the drinks container can be provided with a lid comprising a first part anc a second part, in which the first part can be secured to the container, and the second part can be removable from the first part.

Preferably the first part can comprise a substantially flat panel provided with a rectangular opening extending to one side, which is provided with slide channels along its two parallel sides. The second part can comprise a rectangular panel adapted to fit into the rectangular opening1 and it can have flanges along its sides adapted to fit into the slide channels.

The slide channels can be provided with a greater depth than the flanges, and the upper surface of the slide channels can be provided with an undulating surface. The upper surfaces of the flanges can be provided with a corresponding undulating surface, and spring means can be provided which bias the undubting surfaces together. Thus, the second part is biased into a locked positioi, and can be removed from the first part by pushing it down against the force of the spring means, thereby disengaging the undulating surfaces, and;liding it free.

The invention can be performed in various ways, but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded side view of a drinks container according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the drinks container shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a part of the drinks container shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a part of the drinks container as shown in Figure 1, in a first arrangement; and, Figure 4o is a cross-sectional side view of the part of the drinks container shown in Figure 4a, in a second arrangement.

As shown in Figure 1, a drinks container 1 is provided with contents monitoring means (not visible), a control means (not visible) and an alarm means in the form of LED cluster 2. (The contents monitoring means is in the form of an electronic water level sensor (not visible) mounted inside the drinks container 1, and the control means is in the form of an electronic control circuit, also mounted inside the drinks container 1.) As described below the control mean5 is adapted to activate the alarm means (2) if the contents monitoring means indicates that the quantify of a drink (not shown) in the container us not falling at a pre-determined rate.

As is clear from the Figures, the container 1 comprises a base 3 and a reservoir 4 adapted to sit upon it. The base 3 has a locating boss 5, and the reservoir 4 has a locating socket 6 which fits onto it, as shown in Figure 2. The LED cluster 2 is situated at a top of the boss 5, and the reservoir 4 is transparent, SO the LED cluster 2 can be seen when the reservoir 4 is placed on the base 3, as shown in Figure 2. As is clear from that figure, the LED cluster is situated sub:;tantially in the centre of the reservoir 4 when it is placed on the base 3.

The base 3 has a reservoir platform 7 supported by a support section 8.

The reservoir 4 has an outlet valve 9 on an underside 10 thereof, and as is clear from the Figures, the outlet valve 9 is laterally spaced from the reservoir platform 7 when the locating boss 5 is located in the locating socket 6.

The outlet valve 9 is biased into a closed position by a coil spring (not visible) mounted inside the reservoir 4. A cover 11 is mounted over the coil spring. The owlet valve 9 is opened by a downward movement, and in order to facilitate such a movement the support section 8 canles a lever 12.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the lever 12 has a socket 13 at its inner end, which is mounted in a pivotal relationship to an axle (not visible) provided inside the support section 8. The lever 121s composed of three parts, as shown clearly in Figure 1. A central part comprises a pair of connector rods 14, and a handle part 15 has an inner end 16 provided with sockets 17 adapted to slide over the connector rods 14. The inner end 16 of the handle part 15 is also orovided with a concavity 18, adapted to fit onto the outlet valve 9.

The lever 12 is arranged thus so that when the reservoir 4 is placed onto the reservoir patform 7, the handle part 15 can be removed, and the outlet valve 9 positioned between the connector rods 14. The handle part 15 is then replaced onto the connector rods 14, and the outlet valve 9 is held in the concavity 18, as shown in Figure 2. Thus, a downward push on the handle part 15 rotate; the lever 12 about the axle, and pulls the outlet valve 9 down to open it.

Refenlng to Figures 4a and 4b, the outlet valve 9 is a variable flow outlet valve comprising a tube 19 defining an outlet passageway 20 and an adjustment member 21 mounted thereon. The adjustment member 21 comprises a sleeve 22 axially adjustably mounted on an outer surface 23 of the tube 19 b')' means of a screw thread 24. The adjustment member 21 has a downwardly cepending section 25 which extends below a bottom 26 of the tube 19, and a flow restriction member 27 mounted on an inner surface 28 of the downwardly depending section 25, which is axially aligned with the outlet passageway 20. The flow restriction member 27 is a tapered member, and as such its vertical alignment with the tube 19 effects the flow therethrough. if the adjustment member is wound onto the tube 19, as shown in Figure 4a, the flow restriction member 27 is positioned inside the tube 19, and restricts flow therefrom. However, if the adjustment member is unwound from the tube 19, as shown in Fiqure 4b, the flow restriction member 27 is removed from the tube 19, and ci greater flow is achievable. Thus, the adjustment member 21 can be rotated on the screw thread 24 until the flow from the reservoir 4 is as desired.

Referring to Figure 1, the reservoir 4 is provided with a lid 29 comprising a first part 30 secured to the reservoir 4, and a second part 31, which is removable from the first part 30. The first part 30 is a generally flat panel provided with a rectangular opening (not visible) extending to one side 32.

The opening IE provided with slide channels along its two parallel sides, (one of which 33 is;hown in hashed lines, as it would not be visible from a side view.) The second part 31 is a generally rectangular panel shaped to fit into the rectangular opening, and it has flanges 34 along its sides, which are shaped to fit into the slide channels 33.

The slide channels 33 have a greater depth than the flanges 34, and the upper surface 35 of the slide channels 33 has an undulating surface 36.

The upper surf aces 37 of the flanges 34 have corresponding undulating surfaces 38. The flanges 34 and/or the channels 33 are moulded such that the two components are sprung together when they are connected, in such a way that the undulating surfaces 36 and 38 are biased together. Therefore, when the second part 31 is placed together with the first part 30, the two parts 31 and 30 are locked together. The second part 31 can be freed in use by pushing it down and disengaging the undulating surfaces 36 and 38, then sliding it free from the first part 30.

The second part 31 is provided with a handle 39, and it will be appreciated tnat when the reservoir is carried by the handle 39 the undulating suraces 36 and 38 will be biased together by the weight of the reservoir 4 and any contents, which ensures that the second part 31 cannot come free from the first part 30 when the reservoir is being handled in use.

The second part 31 is also provided with an inlet spout 40, (which is shown in hashed lines as it would not be visible from a side view), so the reservoir 4 car be filed when the second part 31 is in place on the first part 30.

The drin<s container 1 is provided with contents refrigeration means in the form of a Peltier plate 41 with a fan. The drinks container 1 also has input controls 42 adapted to allow input data to be set, as described below.

An optional extra component is shown in Figure 1. A feeder hose 43 can be fitted Ia the outlet valve 9 so an incapacitated user can suck wafer from the reser'oir 4. The feeder hose 43 simply fits over the outlet valve 9, and when the lever 12 is pushed, the outlet valve 9 is opened, and the user can suck wafer thrugh the feeder hose 43.

The drin<s container 1 is provided with internal electronic circuitry which controls its fun:tions. Such electronic circuitry is well known, and the manner of programming it, and making it operate is not new, and is therefore not further descriLed here. The drinks container 1 can be powered by a battery, which can be housed in a compartment 44 on the base 3. The battery can power the electronic circuitry, the electronic water sensor and the LED cluster 2, but it would be insufficient to power the refrigeration means 41. If that is employed, a power cable 45 is connected to the base 3 to provide mains electrical po er.

The electronic circuitry is programmed to monitor sensor readings from the electronic water level sensor (not visible) which is housed in the reservoir 4. (Electronic lerminals are provided on the underside 10 of the reservoir 4 and on the re;ervoir platform 7, and these meet and transfer data when the reservoir 4 is mounted on the reservoir platform 7.) The electronic circuitry comprises a ciock or timer, and is programmed to compare the sensor readings from the reservoir against a primary consumption rate over time. The comparison can be once a minute or hour, or it can be once a second or less. If the water in the reservoir 4 does not fall at or above the consumption rate, the elecironic circuitry recognises this and sends a signal to the LED cluster 2 to illuminate an LED. When this is seen by the user, they can drain water from the reservoir 4 until the LED goes out, indicating that the consumption rate has been met.

This consumption rate can be adjusted to suit the user, and their circumstances. Firstly, the consumption rate can be adjusted according to the weight and/or sex of the user. It will be appreciated that different sexes and sizes of people require different quantifies of water to remain suitably hydrated. The input controls 42 comprise a dial which can be set to a number of rotational si?ttings to set this data, and the consumption rate is adjusted accordingly.

The consumption rate can equate to the total water the user must consume ovet a given time period. Such consumption rates are well known, and can be set from available research data.

However, it will be appreciated that if the device 1 is set up in this way it will not fund ion correctly should the user consume water acquired from elsewhere. Therefore, the consumption rate can be adjusted so it is less than the fatal water the user must consume over a given time period. This adjustment can be made via one of the input control dials 42, which can be adjusted between a maximum setting where the user is only consuming water from the reservoir 4, and the consumption rate equates to the total wafer the user must consume, and a minimum setting where the user is consuming regular meals with drinks, and the consumption rate equates to 70 or 80 per cent of the total water the user must consume. A number of intermediate settings are also provided where the user is consuming various quantities of fI jid from elsewhere, according to their circumstances.

The electronic circuitry is also provided with a thermometer (not visible) which measurs the ambient temperature around the device. The electronic circuitry monitors data from the thermometer and adjusts the consumption rate accordingly. In other words, if the ambient temperature is room temperature, Then the consumption rates described above do not change.

However, if th ambient temperature rises a number of degrees, the consumption rates are increased, in line with the increased requirement to consume water in that temperature.

The electronic circuitry is also programmed to illuminate a different LED in the LED cluster 2 if the rate at which the water in the reservoir 4 is falling drops below c second and a third consumption rate. These second and third consumption rates mirror the primary consumption rate described above, but they are lowet in value. Thus, if the user does not consume sufficient water the first LED is ilium nated as described above, however, if they then still do not consume any water and the rate of consumption falls below the second consumption rate, a second LED will be illuminated. Likewise for the third LED.

This way the severity of the situation is communicated. The first LED is blue, the second is amber, and the third is red.

The electronic circuitry is programmed to flash the blue LED on and off slowly when The rate at which the water in the reservoir 4 is falling is above the primary consumption rate. This communicates to the user that the device us functioning, and that they are consuming a correct amount.

Thus, in use the user, or a carer, removes the reservoir 4 from the base 3, and fills it with water via the spout 40. When the reservoir 4 is to be removed from the base 3, the handle part 15 is removed from the connector rods 14, so the outlet valve 9 is freed from the concavity 18 and the reservoir 4 can be freely lifted from the base 3. When the reservoir 4 is being handled it can be carried by the handle 39, and as a result the undulating surfaces 36 and 38 are biased together, which ensures that the second part 31 of the lid 29 does not inadvertently slide free from the first part 30.

Once filed the reservoir 4 is placed back on the base 3, with the boss 5 in the socket 6. This ensures that the reservoir 4 is secure, and that the LED is located at the centre of the reservoir 4. The handle part 15 is replaced on the connector rods 14, and the outlet valve 9 is held in the concavity 18.

The user, or the carer, then turns the device 1 on via an on/off switch 46, if it is not on already. They then set the input controls 42 to suit the user's size and sex, cnd the amount of food and water being consumed.from elsewhere. As such, the correct consumption rates are employed by the electronic circuitry, and it begins to monitor the levels of water in the reservoir 4 according to the input data and the ambient temperature.

Each time the user wants a drinks, they locate a drinking vessel under the outlet val'e 9, and push the lever 12 down to open the outlet valve 9. The rate at which The water exist the valve can be adjusted to suit, by screwing the adjustmert member 21 up or down, as described above in relation to Figures 4a and 4b. Alternatively, the feeder hose 43 can be employed if required, as described above.

If desired the refrigeration means 41 can be turned on to keep the contents of th reservoir 4 cool. If this is used, the device must be plugged into the mains via the cable 45.

As described above, if the user consumes enough water the blue LED will flash on ard off. If they do not consume the correct amount the blue LED will start to flash. If this is ignored the amber LED will flash, followed by the red LED. If the user responds to any of these warnings and the rate at which the water falls marches or rises above the consumption rate, the blue LED will begin to flash n and off again.

If at an point the reservoir 4 needs a clean, it can be removed from the base 3 as described above, and the second part 31 of the lid 29 can be removed by pushing it down and sliding it free from the first part 30, as also described above. These second part 31 and the inside and outside of the reservoir 4 can then be cleaned.

The reservoir 4 is also provided with flange members (only one of which 47 is visible) which extend from the underside 10 of the reservoir 4, either side of the socket 6. These flange members 47 are provided to protect the outlet valve 9 from camage if the reservoir 4 needs to be set down somewhere other than the base 3. The flange members 47 have a lower surface 48 which is angled such that the reservoir 4 is canted forward if it is set down so the outlet valve 9 is held clear of any surface. The flange members 47 are located outsice the reservoir platform 7 when the reservoir 4 is located on the base 3, as shown in Figure 2.

The device can be altered without departing from the scope of Claim 1. For example. in alternative embodiments (not shown) the alarm means are audio alarms and vibrating alarms.

Thus a crinks container is provided which communicates to the user in a visually attrcctive manner if they are consuming sufficient water.

Claims

Claims 1. A drinks container provided with contents monitoring means, a

control means and an alarm means, in which the control means is adapted to activate the clarm means if the contents monitoring means indicates that the quantity of a drink in the container is not falling at a pre-determined rate.

2. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 1 in which the alarm means is a visual alarm.

3. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 2 in which the drinks container comprises a b se and a reservoir, in which the base is provided with a locating boss, and the reservoir is provided with a locating socket, in which the alarm means comprises an illumination means provided at a top of the boss, and in which the reservoir is substantially transparent.

4. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 3 in which an inner end of the socket is substantially in the centre of the reservoir.

5. A drinks container as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the container is for water, and in which the pre-determined rate at which the quantity of drink should fall is a consumption rate at which water should be consumed by one pre-determined human user.

6. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 5 in which the control means is provided with input data on the sex and/or size and/or weight of the pre-determined human user, and in which the consumption rate is adjusted according to The input data.

7. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 6 in which the container is provided with input controls adapted to allow said input data to be set.

8. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 6 or 7 in which the container is provided with thermometer means adapted to measure the ambient temperature, and in which the consumption rate is that at which water should be consumed by the pre-determined human user in that ambient temperature.

9. A drinks container as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 8 in which the consumption rate is the total water which should be consumed by the pre-determined human user.

10. A drinks container as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 8 in which the consumption rate is less than the total water which should be consumed by the pie-determined human user.

11. A drinks container as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 10 in which the illumination means comprises two or more illumination colours, and in which a first colour is illuminated if the quantity of a drink in the container is not falling at a first pre-dtermined rate, and in which one or more further colours are illuminated if tne contents monitoring means indicates that the quantity of a drink in the container is not falling at one or more further pie-determined rates, which ft rther pie-determined rates are lower than the first pre-determined rote.

12. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 11 in which the illumination means turns on and off at intervals when the quantity of drink is falling above the first pre-determined rate.

13. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 1 in which the alarm means is an audible alarm.

14. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 1 in which the alarm means is a vibrating alarn.

15. A drinks container as claimed in any of Claims 3 to 14 in which the base comprises a reservoir platform supported by a support section, in which the reservoir is pro ilded with an outlet valve on an underside thereof, in which the outlet vale is laterally spaced from the reservoir platform when the locating boss is located in the locating socket.

16. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 15 in which the outlet valve is biased shut, aid is opened by a downward movement.

17. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 16 in which the support section is provided with a lever, which lever is connected to the outlet valve such that downward movement of the lever opens the outlet valve.

18. A drinks container as claimed in any of the previous Claims in which the drinks containr is provided with contents refrigeration means.

19. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 1 in which the drinks container is provided with a variable flow outlet valve comprising a tube defining an outlet passageway and an adjustment member mounted thereon, in which the adjustment member comprises a sleeve axially adjusfably mounted on an outer surfaoe of the tube by means of a screw thread, in which the adjustment member has a downwardly depending section which extends below a bottom of the tube, in which a flow restriction member is mounted on an inner surlace of the downwardly depending section and is axially aligned with the outlet passageway, in which the flow restriction member comprises a tcipered member, such that vertical alignment of the flow restriction member in relation to the outlet passageway variably restricts flow therethrough.

20. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 1 in which the drinks container is provided with a lid comprising a first part and a second part, in which the first part is secured to the container, and in which the second part is removable from the first part.

21. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 20 in which the first part comprises a substantially flat panel provided with a rectangular opening extending to one side, which opening is provided with slide channels along its two parallel sides, in which the second part comprises a rectangular panel adapted to fit into the rectangular opening, in which the rectangular panel is provided with flanges along its sides adapted to fit into the slide channels.

22. A drinks container as claimed in Claim 21 in which the slide channels are provided with a greater depth than the flanges, in which the upper surface of the slide channels are provided with an undulating surface, in which the upper surfaces of the flanges are provided with a corresponding undulating surface, and in which spring means are provided which bias the undulating suraces together.

23. A drinks container substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.