IT202000006928A1 - IMPROVED CONTAINER, PARTICULARLY FOR A CONSUMER PRODUCT, DEVICE FOR THE TRANSPORT OF A SIMILAR CONTAINER AND METHOD FOR THE USE OF A SIMILAR CONTAINER FOR THE REDUCTION OF DISPOSAL IN LANDFILL AND / OR ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an improved container for a consumer product.

The invention also relates to a device for transporting such a container and a method for using the latter.

In the present description, the expression? Consumer product? Means a product of substantially daily use, such as particularly, but not exclusively, food and / or detergents.

Nowadays, consumer products are sold and stored in containers.

These containers are generally made of plastic and / or metal and / or paper material and / or glass and / or a combination / layering of these materials.

These containers, after use, are disposed of:

- by recycling, if they are made with materials that can be recycled, such as: certain types of plastic, glass, paper or aluminum;

- in landfills, if they are made of materials that cannot be recycled.

This known technique has some drawbacks.

First of all, the containers disposed of in landfills involve a considerable consumption and waste of material, which can not? be reused, and a consequent not negligible footprint in the disposal sites.

This also leads to an environmental pollution problem.

Recycled containers, on the other hand, undergo a process of recovery of the original materials which includes at least two of the following phases:

- wash,

- crushing / shredding,

- heating / melting of the fragments,

- addition of chemical binding products and / or new material,

- forming of the new container,

- cooling down.

This procedure turns out to be long, complex and uncomfortable.

Furthermore, during this process there is a considerable consumption of energy and new materials.

Another drawback present in the containers known to date? due to the fact that, to check the remaining products inside them, the user needs? at least one eye contact with the product.

Does this imply that the container must be transparent and / or that the user must open it to visually check the quantity? remained.

Also, no eye contact? always sufficient to estimate, with adequate accuracy, the quantity? of product left to plan, if necessary, a replenishment of the product.

An additional drawback? linked to the fact that the user to obtain supplies must, generally, go personally and physically to a resale, and transport, after purchase, the container with the product inside to his home or place of use.

There? determines a significant inconvenience? for the user who has the need? to move, even for a long time, from his home and a not negligible waste of time.

Furthermore, since many users travel by means of transport with a combustion engine, such as, for example, cars or motorcycles, to obtain supplies, considerable atmospheric pollution is generated due to the exhaust fumes of these vehicles.

The aim of the present invention? that of realizing a container, particularly for a consumer product, a device for transporting such a container and a method for using such a container, which are capable of improving the prior art in one or more? of the aspects indicated above.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention? to create a container, particularly for a consumer product, that can be reused easily and quickly and reduces landfill disposal and the need? recycling of materials, with consequent consumption of energy and new materials, and waste of time.

Another object of the invention? that of developing a container that does not require the user to make visual contact with the product to evaluate its remainder and allows the same to be informed in real time on the quantity? residual / product exhaustion without the need? to verify it physically and personally.

A further object of the invention? that of creating a container that does not require the user to have to move to get supplies and that allows him to order a supply easily and / or automatically.

Another object of the invention? that of developing a transport device and a method for using such a container to reduce landfill disposal and / or atmospheric pollution.

Furthermore, the present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the known art in an alternative way to any existing solutions.

Not the least object of the invention? that of realizing a container, a device for transporting such a container and a method for using such a container, which are highly reliable, relatively easy to manufacture and at competitive costs.

This task, as well as? these and other purposes, which will appear more clearly in the following, are achieved by a container for a consumer product comprising:

- a body for containing said product, - a lid, for closing said containment body,

said container being characterized in that it comprises means:

- for the detection of the quantity? of said product contained within it,

- and quantity management? detected.

This task, as well as? these and other purposes, which will become clearer in the following, are achieved by a device for transporting the container illustrated above.

This task, as well as? these and other purposes, which will become clearer hereinafter, are achieved by a method for using the container illustrated above.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the container, particularly for a consumer product, of the device for transporting said container and of the method for using said container, according to the invention, illustrated, by way of non-limiting example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a container, particularly for a consumer product, according to the invention;

Figures 2a and 2b show two different overall exploded views of the container of Figure 1;

figure 3 shows a front view of a device for transporting the container of figures 1, 2a and 2b;

Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the device of Figure 3;

figure 5 schematically represents a method of using the container of figures 1, 2a and 2b;

figure 6 illustrates a component of the container of figures 1, 2a and 2b;

Figure 6a illustrates a particular view of the container of Figures 1, 2a and 2b with the component of Figure 6.

With reference to Figures 1 to 2b, 6 and 6a, a container according to the invention,? globally indicated with the reference number 10.

The container 10? particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for containing food and / or detergents.

The container 10 includes:

- a body 11, for containing a product, the latter not shown in the figures,

- a lid 12, for closing the body 11. The body 11 has a substantially cup shape which has on one or more? walls 13 a window 14 made of at least partially transparent material to allow visual contact with the product contained inside.

This container 10 has an interface element 15 between the containment body 11 and the lid 12.

Such element 15? substantially annular and follows the internal profile of the body 11 at its extremity? 16 superior, in order of use, within which? inserted.

The end? 16 upper in body use trim 11? the one closed by the lid 12.

Such element 15? associated / wedged to the containment body 11 and this cover 12? constrained / hinged to element 15 by means of a hinge element 50.

The lid 12, the body 11 and the interface element 15 between the first two are preferably, but not exclusively, made of plastic material, such as polypropylene or high density polyethylene. HDPE.

If this container 10 is intended for food products, can it? there must be a layer of food-grade silicone and / or polylactic acid (PLA) at least in the area intended for contact with the products.

In some embodiments, the lid 12 and / or the base 27 of the body 11 are coated with a layer of silicone or similar material.

One of the peculiarities? of the invention consists in the fact that the container 10? made of materials which can be washed to allow the container 10 to be reused in the order of a thousand times and at least more? once upon a time. Another of the peculiarities? of the container 10 consists in comprising means:

- for the detection of the quantity? of product contained inside the container 10, - and the management of the quantity? detected.

In particular, the lid 12 has a box-like shape, with a bottom 17, and contains within it such means:

- for the detection of the quantity? of product contained inside the container 10, - and the management of the quantity? detected.

These means for detecting the quantity? of product contained inside the container 10 and the management of the quantity? detected include:

- at least one sensor 18 of the sonar type, at least partially protruding from the bottom 17 of the lid 12, through an opening 19, towards the inside of the containment body 11 with the container 10 closed, - means for transmitting the data detected by the sensor 18 , not shown in the figures.

These data transmission means are preferably of the wireless type.

Preferably, the sensors 18 of the sonar type are at least two.

The cover 12 encloses a board 20 with an electronic circuit, hermetically insulated from the outside, on which there are:

- sensors 18,

- the means for transmitting the data detected by the sensors 18,

- an electronic circuit power supply battery, not shown in the figures,

- a capacitive sensor 21, for switching on the electronic circuit after closing the lid 12,

- a plurality? of pins 22 for the electrical connection to a power source external to the container 10, to recharge this battery.

Specifically, the pins 22 protrude / are accessible from a side wall 23 of the cover 12, for example the one attached to the interface element 15.

The lid 12 also has a LED (Light Emitting Diode) 24 suitable for signaling the various operating phases of the container 10 by means of light signals.

This LED 24? connected to the electronic circuit of the board 20 and? placed on a side wall of the lid 12.

The LED 24? arranged on the same side wall 23 from which the pins 22 protrude / are accessible.

In correspondence / proximity? of the reciprocal hinging zone, the container 10 comprises the hinge element 50.

This hinge element 50 has a substantially? L? Profile, with:

- wing 51, inserted in the lid 12 and integral with it,

- core 52, sliding inside a perimeter edge of the interface element 15, in a direction orthogonal to the direction of development of this edge, to allow the opening of the container 10.

The soul 52? movable by a distance in the order of 1 cm.

In particular, the soul 52? fixed, at the end? opposite to that from which the wing 51 extends, to a magnetic bar 25, sliding at the same time as the core 52, in a perimeter window 53 of the interface element 15.

This perimeter window 53 of the interface element 15 has a lower edge 54 and an upper edge 55.

The lower edge 54 has an area covered by a metal layer 56 which interacts with the magnetic bar 25 in the configuration for closing the container 10.

The upper edge 55 has a sliding opening 57 for the core 52, with a section comparable to the section of the core 52 and lower than that of the magnetic bar 25.

The walls of this opening 57 for sliding the core 52 consist of the walls of an annular metal element 58, which surrounds the core 52 of the hinge element 50.

The wing 51 and the core 52 of the hinge element 50 are made of plastic material, such as flexible rubber, inside which there are two distinct passages with corresponding electrical cables, not shown in the figures, each of which has:

- a first electrical terminal 60a, 60b, at the end free wing 51, connected / soldered to the circuit of the electronic board 20,

- a second electrical terminal 61, on a side wall of the core 52, adapted to interact with the annular element 58 of the interface element 15, in the configuration of closure of the lid 12.

When the container 10 is opened:

- the lid 12 is lifted from the containment body 11,

- the core 52 of the hinge element 50 slides upwards, inside the opening 57 of the upper edge 55 of the window 53,

- at the same time as the core 52, the magnetic bar 25 also moves, causing a magnetic attraction with the annular metal element 58.

In the opening configuration, the magnetic bar 25? in contact with the annular element 58 causing a stable opening configuration of the container 10.

In the present description, the expression? Stable configuration? Means a configuration which, in order to be varied, requires the application of a force.

When closing container 10:

- the lid 12 is lowered towards the containment body 11,

- the core 52 of the hinge element 50 slides downwards, inside the opening 57 of the upper edge 55 of the window 53,

- at the same time as the core 52, the bar 25 also moves, causing a magnetic attraction with the metal layer 56 of the lower edge 54 of the window 53.

In the closed configuration, the magnetic bar 25? in contact with the metal layer 56 determining a stable closing configuration of the container 10.

In the closing configuration, each second electrical terminal 61 touches the annular metal element 58, closing an electrical circuit, powered by the battery illustrated above, activating the electronic board 20 and triggering the operations of:

- detection of the quantity? product, - transmission of the data collected.

After an interval of time, in the order of about ten seconds, the circuit switches off.

In this way the energy consumption of the electronic board is contained.

In correspondence with the reciprocal hinging zone, in the perimeter portion opposite to that presenting the window 53:

- the lid 12 has a plurality of of first magnets, not shown in the figures,

- the interface element 15 has a plurality of of second magnets, also not shown in the figures, corresponding to and facing the first magnets with the container 10 closed.

Said first magnets and said second magnets are, for example, three in number, and are adapted to avoid accidental opening of the container 10.

With reference to figures 3 and 4, a device for transporting one or more? containers 10? globally indicated with the reference number 30.

Device 30 comprises:

- a structure 32, having one or more? compartments 33 for housing one or more? 10 containers,

- a handle 31 fixed to the structure 32.

The compartments 33 of the structure 32 trace the profile of the container 10.

Structure 32 includes:

- a base 34,

- two opposite lateral walls 35a, 35b, symmetrical with respect to the sagittal symmetry plane of the device 30, shaped like an? L?, to each of which? fixed a corresponding end? of the handle 31,

- a functional wall 36, comprised between the side walls 35a, 35b, and perpendicular to them.

In the present description, with the expression? Sagittal symmetry plane? we mean the plane of symmetry that runs in an anteroposterior direction and divides a body into two parts: right and left.

This functional wall 36 has, in correspondence with each housing compartment 33, a magnetic terminal 37 for electrical connection, having pins adapted to electrically connect to the pins 22 of the container 10 to recharge the battery of the card 20.

The pins 22 of the container 10 also develop / pass through a magnetic terminal, not shown in the figures.

Each terminal 37? enclosed inside a casing 38, from which only the respective pins are accessible.

Each terminal 37 of the structure 32? electrically connected to an electrical supply point 39, by means of a connection 40.

In particular, the power supply point 39?, For example, a micro-USB (Universal Serial Bus) port.

? It is possible to connect the device 30 to an electrical power supply network, not shown in the figures, through the door 39, to power, through the terminals 37 of the structure 32, the batteries of the containers 10 housed therein and electrically connected to it through the electrical contact between pins 22 and those of the respective terminal 37.

The base 34 of the structure 32 has a lowered portion 41 with development and extension comprised between the two side walls 35a and 35b, for housing a clamp, not shown in the figures, for anchoring more. 10 stacked containers.

The device 30 for transport? made of plastic, preferably recycled, and / or metal material.

Both the container 10 and the device 30 can have any colors and decorations.

In figure 5? schematically represented the method of use of the container 10, which? the following.

The method of using the container 10? based on a platform that uses a web server 100 for the storage and management of various types of data relating to:

- 10 containers,

- U users,

- P products inside the containers 10. To each container 10? associated with a unique identification code C.

The web server 100 stores and controls the data of each container 10, with reference to the specific unique code C of the respective container 10, in each phase of its life, namely:

- production,

- each use of the container 10: acquisition by company A that produces the product P, filling, transport to the storage place and / or the place of use, storage, consumption of the product P contained within it,

- each wash,

- disposal / end of life.

Each user U sends his identification data to the web server 100 by registering on the platform, through a user interface 1, for example a special app for smartphones or tablets.

User U creates his own user profile, protected by a password.

With his own user profile, user U, through interface 1, can:

- buy new P products,

- and / or re-purchase P gi products? purchased in the past,

- and / or set up periodic orders for P.

These P products are delivered, packaged in one or more? 10 containers:

- directly at the home of user U, - and / or at a place indicated by user U during the purchase / order phase,

- and / or at a collection point chosen by the user U among those pre-established.

The containers 10, with the products P inside, are transported within one or more? transport devices 30.

Once the place of use has been reached, each container 10 communicates, thanks to its means for transmitting data, through the router of the user U, with the web server 100 the successful delivery.

Whenever the container 10 is opened and then closed again, returning the cap 12 to the closing configuration, the capacitive sensor 21 sends an ignition signal to the electronic circuit.

In this phase, the sensors 18 carry out a detection of the product data P remaining in the container 10.

These data are then sent to the web server 100 through the data transmission means connected to the electronic circuit of the card 20. The web server 100 in turn communicates these data:

- to company A producing product P, what? updated in real time,

- to the user U through the interface 1. Does the user have the possibility? to know always and in real time the quantity? of product present in the containers 10 and without the need? eye contact with them.

At each new delivery, the 10 empty containers are picked up and replaced with 10 containers full of P product.

The containers 10 are transported to the product manufacturer P which washes, checks and refills them for a new order.

In this way, the container 10 is reused, while reducing both landfill disposal and its recycling.

Yup ? in practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects by providing a container, particularly for a consumer product, which can be reused easily and quickly and reduces landfill disposal and the need? recycling of materials, with consequent consumption of energy and new materials, and waste of time.

With the found it? developed a container that does not require the user to make a visual contact with the product to evaluate its remainder and allows the same to be informed in real time on the quantity? residual / product exhaustion without the need? to verify it physically and personally.

Also, with the found it? created a container that does not require the user to have to move to get supplies and that allows him to order a supply easily and / or automatically, while reducing the atmospheric pollution deriving from his eventual movement.

Finally, the invention has provided a device for transporting and a method for using a container which allows the intended purposes to be achieved.

The found, so? conceived,? susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, the materials used, provided? compatible with the specific use, as well as? the contingent shapes and dimensions may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Where the features and techniques mentioned in any claim are followed by reference marks, have such marks been affixed for the sole purpose of increasing intelligibility. of the claims and consequently such reference signs have no limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims (22)

CLAIMS 1. Container (10) for a consumer product comprising: - a body (11) for containing said product, - a lid (12), for closing said containment body (11), said container (10) being characterized in that it comprises means (18): - for the detection of the quantity? of said product contained within it, - and quantity management? detected. 2. Container (10), according to claim 1, characterized in that said means (18) for detecting the quantity? of said product contained within it and the management of the quantity? detected include: - at least one sensor (18) of the sonar type, - means for transmitting the data detected by said sensor (18). 3. Container (10), according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said body (11) has a substantially cup shape. 4. Container (10), according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made of washable materials to allow their reuse, of the plastic material type such as polypropylene and / or HDPE and / or silicone. 5. Container (10), according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said lid (12) has a box-like shape, with a bottom (17), and contains inside: - said at least one sensor (18) of the sonar type, at least partly protruding from said bottom (17) through an opening (19), towards the inside of said containment body (11), with the container (10) closed, - said means for transmitting the data detected by said at least one sensor (18). 6. Container (10), according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said data transmission means are of the wireless type. 7. Container (10), according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cover (12) encloses a board (20) with an electronic circuit, hermetically insulated from the outside, on which there are: - said at least one sensor (18) of the sonar type, - said data transmission means, - a battery for powering said electronic circuit, - a capacitive sensor (21), - a plurality? of pins (22) for the electrical connection to a power source external to said container (10), said pins (22) being protruding / accessible from a side wall (23) of said cover (12). 8. Container (10), according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cover (12) has an LED (24) connected to said electronic circuit of said card (20). 9. Container (10), according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an interface element (15) between said containment body (11) and said lid (12), said interface element (15) being substantially annular and tracing the internal profile of said body ( 11) containment at its extremity? (16) upper, in order of use, said interface element (15) being inserted inside said end? (16) upper of said body (11) of containment, said extremity? (16) upper in use position of said containment body (11) being the one closed by said lid (12). 10. Container (10), according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a hinge element (50), said hinge element (50) having a substantially? L? profile, with: - wing (51), inserted in said cover (12) and integral with it, - core (52), sliding, at least partially, inside a perimeter edge of said interface element (15), in a direction orthogonal to the direction of development of said edge. 11. Container (10), according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said core (52)? sliding in an opening (57) of said perimeter edge of said interface element (15), the walls of said opening (57) being constituted by the walls of an annular metal element (58), which surrounds said core (52). 12. Container (10), according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hinge element (50) comprises two distinct passages with corresponding electric cables, each of which has: - a first electrical terminal (60a, 60b) at the end free of said wing (51) connected / soldered to said circuit of said electronic card (20), - a second electrical terminal (61), on a side wall of said core (52), adapted to interact with said annular element (58) of said interface element (15). 13. Device (30) for transporting a container (10), according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises: - a structure (32), having one or more? compartments (33) for housing one or more? containers (10), - a handle (31) fixed to said structure (32). Device (30), according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said one or more? compartments (33) trace the profile of said container (10). 15. Device (30), according to one or more? of claims 13 and 14, characterized in that said structure (32) comprises: - a base (34), - two opposite side walls (35a, 35b), symmetrical with respect to the sagittal symmetry plane of said device (30), said side walls (35a, 35b) being L-shaped, to each of said side walls (35a, 35b ) being fixed a corresponding extremity? of said handle (31), - a functional wall (36), comprised between said side walls (35a, 35b) and perpendicular to them. 16. Device (30), according to one or more? of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that said functional wall (36) has, in correspondence with each of said one or more? housing compartments (33), a magnetic terminal (37) for electrical connection, having pins adapted to electrically connect to said pins (22) of said container (10). 17. Device (30), according to one or more? of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that said terminal (37)? electrically connected to an electrical supply point (39), by means of a connection (40). 18. Method of using a container (10) according to one or more? of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is based on a platform that uses a web server (100) and comprises a step for storing data in said web server (100), said data being stored in real time, said data being relative to : - one or more? containers (10), - one or more? users (U), - one or more? products (P) within said one or more? containers (10). 19. Method, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that to each of said one more? containers (10)? associated with a unique code (C) and said web server (100) stores and controls said data of said one pi? containers (10), with reference to the respective unique code (C), in each phase of the life of said one pi? containers (10). 20. Method, according to one or more? of claims 18 and 19, characterized in that it comprises a step in which each of said one or more? users (U): - sends its identification data to said web server (100) by registering on said platform, through a user interface (1), - and / or create your own user profile, protected by a password. 21. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each of said one or more? users (U), through said user interface (1): - buy one or more? new products (P), - and / or re-purchase one or more? products (P) already? purchased in the past, - and / or set periodic orders of one or more? products (P). 22. Method, according to one or more? of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that it comprises a step for sending data relating to the quantity? of said one or more? products (P) contained in said one or more? containers (10) from said one or more? containers (10) to said web server (100), every time you give one or more? containers (10) are opened and then closed, said web server (100) sending said data relating to the quantity? of said one or more? products (P) to a company (A) manufacturer and / or to said user interface (1) of said one or more? users (U).