ITAN20130174A1 - CONTAINER FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSER WITH IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

attached to an application for a Patent for Invention entitled:

CONTAINER FOR BEVERAGE DISPENSER WITH IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container for beverages and to the relative dispenser for dispensing such beverages, provided with a system suitable for recognizing said container and for exchanging data with said dispenser.

Lately, dispensers (a term which, hereinafter will be used to identify a generic `` beverage dispenser ''), suitable for use in public and outdoor places, as well as in the usual domestic, work and collective catering (hotels, canteens, restaurants, bars, communities).

These dispensers have by now standardized construction and operating characteristics, on which it is not necessary to dwell excessively.

In this discussion it is sufficient to say that the dispenser provides for the connection to the water mains and / or storage tanks, and is able to supply drinking water and / or beverages (after purification, where necessary, with known filter media and / or sterilizing units) at room temperature and / or refrigerated (by known refrigerating means) and / or carbonated (by addition of carbon dioxide).

The dispenser is then equipped with at least one sampling station for accessing the beverage dispensing tap (under which to position the container to be filled) and with special start-up commands for the dispensing function, typically including at least one currency acceptance device (or with suitable pre-loaded card) and at least one push-button panel suitable for selecting the withdrawal station, the type of beverage dispensed and its quantity.

The dispenser can also be equipped with additional accessories for an improved user experience, such as for example audio-visual means for the diffusion of multimedia contents, classically oriented to the emission of advertising messages or to the display of the instructions for use of the public fountain. By way of example, reference should be made to patents No. US 2004129723 and DE 202006004151, both describing a water dispenser equipped with a monitor for viewing multimedia contents.

A drawback of the dispensers of the known art lies in the lack of systems to guide the user to a simple and rapid dispensing of the drink into the container, all at the expense of the rapidity of use and waste of the drink, events that must be absolutely limited, above all. for those dispensers installed in public places.

The purpose of the present invention is to indicate a container provided with means for a correct and precise allocation of the same inside the dispenser withdrawal point.

Another object of the present invention is to indicate a container having an identification system communicating with the dispenser, such as to allow an improved user experience.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means for facilitating and automating the dispensing function of the beverage inside the container by the dispenser withdrawal station.

Further characteristics of the present invention will be better highlighted by the following description of a preferred embodiment, according to the patent claims and illustrated, purely by way of non-limiting example, in the attached drawing tables, in which:

ï € figs. 1.A and 1.B show two views of the vessel according to the invention, respectively from substantially anterosuperior and antero-inferior perspectives;

ï € fig. 2 is a front view of the dispenser on which the container according to the invention can be used;

- fig.3 shows a front view of the container according to the invention, located in the dispenser withdrawal station of fig.2;

ï € figs. 4.A, 4.B and 4.C illustrate three further variants of the vessel according to the invention;

ï € fig. 5 shows a portable device for reading / writing the system associated with the container usable with the dispenser according to the invention;

ï € fig. 6 shows the insertion of the container into the device of fig. 5. The characteristics of the invention are now described, using the references contained in the figures and with particular reference to the variants represented therein.

Reference 1 indicates the dispenser for dispensing beverages, comprising a containment and support structure 1.1 which, in the example of the attached figures, appears as a box-like element with a substantially parallelepiped shape; however it can assume the most varied architectural and dimensional configurations, in consideration of the destination environment and the needs inherent in the type of use.

This structure 1.1 defines an internal volume capable of housing the classic constructive-functional components of a dispenser (hydraulic circuitry and tanks, refrigeration and gasification units, sanitization elements), which do not require in-depth treatment as they are part of the art known in the industry.

In said structure 1.1 are also obtained the typical components for the interface with the user, suitable for dispensing the drink and the use of any accessory elements. They understand:

ï € at least one pickup location 2,

ï € commands for selecting the various options (for example, type and quantity of the drink to be dispensed),

ï € a viewer or information display for viewing the selected options.

In the non-limiting example, illustrated in the attached figures, said commands for selecting the various options and the display are incorporated in a single component, ie in the monitor 1.3 located in the upper portion 1.2 of the structure 1.1.

Preferably said monitor 1.3 is of the touch-screen type, suitable both for the selection and for the display of the choice made, as well as for the dissemination of multimedia contents (for example advertisements, entertainment films, videos demonstrating the correct use of the dispenser): as well this aspect will be exposed in great detail later, since it too is strictly linked to the present invention.

However, it is understood that the characteristics of the invention described here can also find suitable application in dispensers without a monitor or even with the same selection commands, as will be explained later on.

It will be equally clear in the short term that not even the presence of a device for inserting and accepting currency is mandatory (where `` currency '' is understood to be both the current currency and other means of payment, such as paper credit card, pre-loaded card or key with microchip), usually found on known art dispensers.

The withdrawal station 2 comprises a compartment 3 obtained inside the dispenser structure 1.1 and having dimensions suitable for housing at least one container 5 to be filled with the dispensed drink.

In the example of the attached figures, this container 5 consists of a bottle or flask, but obviously what is described here applies to any container having a shape and size such as to be placed in the compartment 3 of the sampling station 2.

Said compartment 3 is provided with a base 3.1 for supporting the container 5, preferably equipped with a grid 3.2 (or similar surface equipped with openings) for draining any beverage that may come out of the container or dripping from the dispensing tap.

As shown in fig. 2, from said base 3.1 projects a pin 4 whose main function (but not exclusive, as clarified below) is to act as a positioning and centering element for the container 5, since it is intended to engage with a cavity 6 of reciprocal shape, present on the bottom 5.1 of this container 5 (see Figs.1.A and 1.B).

In fact, this pin 4 is aligned with the above tap delivering the drink (or rather, it is vertically aligned with at least one opening from which said drink comes out), therefore the coupling with the cavity 6 of the container 5 ensures the correct alignment of the mouth 5.2 of the container 5 with the flow of liquid, ensuring that the latter is precisely directed inside said container 5.

In reality, according to a more generic variant of the invention, this pin 4 could not even be vertically aligned with this opening for dispensing the drink; the important thing is that the mouth 5.2 of the container 5 is, once the latter is coupled to said pin 4 through the aforementioned cavity 6: in other words, said pin 4 could also rise from the base 3.1 from a point not aligned with the opening above, assuming that the cavity 6 of the container 5 is also so and that, once the coupling has taken place, the mouth 5.2 of said container 5 is aligned with the flow of the drink.

To the aforementioned purpose of centering and positioning the container 5 there is another advantage, both aesthetic and functional-hygienic: the perfect centering of the mouth 5.2 of the container 5 in the compartment 3, precisely in line with the flow of the dispensed drink , allows the tap to be neither accessible to the user at all (minimizing the risk of vandal tampering or anti-hygienic events) nor visible (even being absent and the drink coming out of a simple hole made in the top wall of the compartment 3, in communication with the liquid outlet pipe).

Fig. 3 shows the container 5 inserted correctly in the compartment 3 of the withdrawal station 2, by coupling between its cavity 6 and the underlying centering pin 4.

The variant illustrated in the figure shows a withdrawal station 2 with dimensions such as to allow the placement of only one container 5; in the case of larger sampling stations 2 and intended for a plurality of containers 5, there will be many pins 4, suitable to act as centering elements for positioning the containers 5 (each of which provided with cavities 6 having a biunivocally shaped that of these pins 4), so that the mouths of the latter are vertically aligned with the same number of beverage outlet holes.

The coupling between the pin 4 and the cavity 6 can be rotationally free, allowing to position the container 5 on the base 3.1 of the compartment 3 in any direction: this happens when said pin 4 (and, reciprocally, the corresponding cavity 6) has the shape of a solid of rotation, such as a cylinder (as shown in Figures 1 to 3) or a cone (as shown in Figure 4.C).

Alternatively, the shape of the pin 4 (and, consequently, the reciprocal shape of the cavity 6) can be that of a prismatic and / or curvilinear asymmetric solid, so that the positioning of the container 5 is forced according to a single and precise direction.

Figures 4.A and 4.B show two variants in this sense, with the vessel 5 on the bottom 5.1 of which there is a cavity 6 intended to engage with a pin 4 in the form of a drop or trapezoid (other variants may consist in a polyhedron with a base of another asymmetrical shape): therefore the container 5, while maintaining the advantages of the correct positioning in axis with the flow of the drink, can however be inserted on the pin 4 in one direction only.

This configuration makes it possible to know with certainty which portion of the container 5 is oriented towards the user, so that it can be exploited for the application of logos, brands and / or advertising messages; likewise, this expedient allows to create dispensers 1 and containers 5 solely dedicated to well-defined recipients, avoiding mixing in use with unauthorized subjects and denoting such products with exclusive quality and value from the commercial aspect.

Although not very practical for a real use, a variant can also be envisaged in which the cavity is made on the base 3.1 of the compartment 3 and the pin 4 is present on the bottom 5.1 of the vessel 5, all the other characteristics deriving from this coupling remaining unchanged.

The interlocking coupling â € œpin 4 â € “cavity 6â €, in addition to the positioning and centering task described above, is functional to a further feature of the present invention.

On the bottom 6.1 of the cavity 6 of the vessel 5 there is a microchip 7, fixed by co-molding or gluing.

Said microchip 7 typically consists of an integrated circuit or a label (also defined as â € œtagâ € or â € œtransponderâ €) with RFID technology (Radio Frequency IDentification); alternatively, the microchip can comprise an electronic element with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology or, in any case, any electronic device capable of storing data in its memory and communicating wirelessly with a special component, described shortly.

For the sake of simplicity, from here on this element located on the bottom 6.1 of cavity 6 will be generically called â € œmicrochip 7â €.

The aforementioned wireless communication technologies have long been used in many fields; without detailing the operation or the components, widely known to any person skilled in the art, suffice it to say that they include at least the following elements:

ï € the aforementioned microchip 7, equipped with a non-volatile memory in which to store data,

ï € an antenna to send and receive signals to and from said microchip 7: this antenna is usually integrated with the same microchip by means of a physical support substrate (typically made up of plastic film), or placed in close proximity (in the case of species, however located inside the cavity 6 of the vessel 5),

ï € a reading / writing device, communicating with this microchip 7 and capable of querying, writing and updating the information contained in said microchip 7,

ï € a computer system for managing the data exchanged between the aforementioned microchips 7 and a reading / writing device.

In the dispenser 1 of the present invention, said reading / writing device (hereinafter generically referred to as â € œreaderâ €, although it also has the ability to write data) is identified with the reference 4.1 and is located in pin 4 for the centering and positioning of the container 5.

As per the prior art of the above mentioned radiofrequency technologies, the reader 4.1 is technically capable of communicating remotely with the microchip 7 present in the cavity 6 of the vessel 5: however, according to the present invention, this exchange of information takes place only and exclusively when the shape coupling is made between the pin 4 and the cavity 6 of the container 5, that is when the latter is correctly inserted in the sampling station 2 and a contact is obtained between the microchip 7 ( positioned on the bottom 6.1 of the cavity 6) and the reader 4.1 (placed in the pin 4).

This result is preferably achieved by means of a suitable calibration of the radiofrequency transmission system through the use of microchips 7 with a well-defined operating frequency band: in detail, the so-called 13.56 MHz HF (High Frequencies) microchips can be calibrated so that they are able to communicate with the reading / writing device only at a very short distance, a maximum of 1-2 cm gap between the reader 4.1 and the microchip 7 .

Alternatively or in combination with the previous solution, the correct communication between the two elements can be activated with sensor or mechanical elements (not shown in the figure), for example a contrast pin or a proximity sensor inserted in cavity 6.1, substantially adjacent to the microchip 7, capable of verifying the insertion of the container 5 on the pin 4 so as to authorize the dialogue between said microchip 7 and the reader 4.1.

As mentioned above, the system is completed by an electronic device for managing the data exchanged between the microchip 7 and the reader 4.1.

This device typically comprises a central processing unit (hereinafter abbreviated with the term â € œCPUâ €), incorporated in the structure 1.1 of the dispenser 1 and directly connected to the reader 4.1.

Said CPU is preferably, but not necessarily, connected to a display, specifically the monitor 1.3 integrated in dispenser 1.

Always preferably, moreover, the CPU is equipped with an internet connection to interface with one or more centralized system processors (hereinafter referred to synthetically as â € œserverâ €), optionally capable of containing all the information and data that will shortly be exemplified by way of example.

According to the invention, when the container 5 is correctly placed in the withdrawal station 2 (obtaining the coupling between the cavity 6 and the pin 4), the wireless system just described starts and the dispenser 1 can reading the content of the microchip 7, activating a series of functional and informative services according to the data contained therein.

For this to happen, a prodromal phase is naturally necessary in which the insertion of certain data into the microchip 7 of the vessel 5 takes place; this activity can be carried out with different, alternative or cumulative times and methods, as summarized below:

ï € o at the time of the first purchase or withdrawal of container 5: the microchip 7 is encoded with a series of data provided by the user (directly by the user himself or by sales / supply personnel of this container 5), to by means of a portable player which will be described shortly; or

ï € and / or at the time of the first use of the container 5 in the dispenser 1: the data chosen by the user is entered into the still virgin microchip 7, entered directly by the user through an interface software that can be viewed on monitor 1.3, connected to the CPU which, in turn, sends the data entered to reader 4.1 (operating in â € œwritingâ € mode) to encode them on the microchip 7; or ï € and / or during the regular use of the container 5: the data, initially entered in the microchip 7 with one of the two methods described above, are periodically modified and overwritten, by the user himself or by the sales / supply staff of the container 5, by means of the aforementioned portable reader or via the monitor interface 1.3 of dispenser 1.

In the modalities in which it is the user himself who acts on the contents of the microchip 7 of the container 5 via the monitor interface 1.3, the presence of this last component in the structure 1.1 of the dispenser 1 is obviously necessary.

In the other modalities of input and management of the contents of the microchip 7 of the container 5 (ie with this microchip 7 already encoded at the origin or overwritten in subsequent moments, by means of the portable reader), the dispenser 1 can be without the monitor 1.3 and the reader 4.1 operates in the reading mode only, eliminating the possibility for the user to write or overwrite the data in the microchip 7 through the interface software: however the wireless communication system between container 5 and dispenser 1 is fully operational and is able to provide the user with most of the functional and information services, connected to the type of data entered in this microchip 7.

By way of non-limiting example, some types of information that can be entered into the microchip 7 of the vessel 5 and the additional functions deriving from the recognition of said vessel 5 (and, consequently, of the user who owns it) are listed below. dispenser 1:

ï € data relating to the monetary credit available for the use of the beverage dispensing service: if sufficient, dispenser 1 can proceed directly to dispensing the liquid without the user having to use the currency acceptance device (which , therefore, it can also be absent); ï € identification data of the tastes and choices of the user who owns the container 5, regarding the type and quantity of drink to be dispensed: dispenser 1 can therefore directly dispense the type and predefined quantity of drink in accordance with the previously selected instructions by the user and encoded in the microchip 7;

ï € data relating to the personal preferences of the user who owns the container 5, concerning sectors not strictly connected to the dispensing function of dispenser 1 but in any case activating information-recreational services that can be used during the use of dispenser 1: viewing of multimedia contents (images , videos, texts, music) on monitor 1.3, selected from the contents previously loaded into the CPU or downloaded from the server via internet connection;

ï € data of a health-food nature and / or relating to sports activities of the user who owns the container 5: the dispenser 1 can dispense drinks added with food supplements or vary the type according to a calendar (seasonal, weekly, daily or hourly ), filled in by the user and encoded in the microchip 7.

As mentioned above, in addition to being directly inserted on site via the monitor 1.3 of the dispenser 1 and the relative interface software communicating with the CPU and with the reader 4.1, these types of data can be entered into the microchip 7 of the vessel 5 by means of a portable reader. , which can be used at home by the user or at the disposal of the persons in charge of the sale / supply of the containers 5.

Fig. 5 shows said portable reader, identified with the reference 8 and substantially reproducing the same components of the base 3.1 of the withdrawal station 2 of the dispenser 1.

In fact it comprises a base 8.1 for supporting the container 5, equipped with a pin 9 having a shape corresponding to that of the cavity 6 with which it is intended to be coupled.

If the container 5 has a cavity 6 of a different shape, obviously also this portable reader 8 will have a pin 9 of reciprocal shape, intended to engage in said cavity 6.

This pin 9 incorporates the reader 9.1, able to operate both in reading mode and in writing mode of the microchip 7, located on the bottom 6.1 of the cavity 6 of the vessel 5.

The insertion of the container 5 on this reader 8 activates the wireless dialogue system between the microchip 7 and the reader 9.1, with the user who can then enter, update or overwrite the data. The operation of entering such data takes place after connecting (wireless or wired, for example via the connection cable 8.2 with USB socket, shown in the figures) of the portable reader 8 to a personal computer, palmtop, tablet or smartphone, operating on a special interface software between the user and this reader 8.

The various operating phases of the portable reader 8 (switching on, reading, writing, malfunction) can be associated with one or more identification LEDs, visually controllable by the user: said one or more LEDs can be arranged on the top of pin 9 and, for this purpose, it can be provided that the lower portion of the container 5 is transparent. This solution can also be used on the pin 4 of the withdrawal station 2 of the dispenser 1, with the user being able to monitor the different operating phases of the dialogue system between said dispenser 1 and container 5.

The aforementioned management software (which can work either offline locally or online via the web) is therefore designed to encode the microchip 7 of the specific vessel 5 located on the portable reader 8, providing the user with an interface to enter the desired data and associate them with container 5 to be used in dispenser 1.

The same software also has an optional function that allows the encrypted information to be sent to a server, in accordance with the typical standards of encryption and confidentiality of personal data, which have long been used in computer programs: this option, while not affecting the general operation of the communication system between single container 5 and dispenser 1, it is useful for centralized management for statistical purposes of the data inserted in the microchip 7 over time, as well as acting as a security archive from which dispenser 1 can draw remotely in case of malfunction of the microchip 7 of the specific container 5.

With the software in question it is also possible to proceed with the on-line recharge of the monetary credit available on the specific container 5, according to the usual standards of virtual payment via web: in this case the remote connection function of the software (both of the one usable through the portable reader 8, which of the one usable through the monitor 1.3 of the dispenser 1) to a server becomes mandatory, as the credit institution must be able to manage the credit and debit phases via internet.

As is clear from the above description, the combination between the dispenser 1 and the container 5 allows to reach the preset objects and obtain a series of advantages with respect to the containers commonly used on the beverage dispensers of the known art.

The first order of advantages is connected to the possibility of precisely positioning the container 5, with its mouth 5.2 exactly in axis with the flow of the dispensed drink, thanks to the coupling of shape between the pin 4 and the cavity 6, speeding up and facilitating the use of the container 5 and the dispenser 1 by the user.

A second order of advantages resides in the wireless communication system between the container 5 and the dispenser 1, with the container acting as a real personal tool of the user for the activation of additional functional and informative services, always usable through dispenser 1.

Connected to this last order of advantages, it is also possible to provide that the same container 5 can be used for the activation of further services, not related to the use of dispenser 1 but to other public services, such as example the use of car parks or the rental of public transport: the coupling and wireless communication system between cavity 6 of vessel 5 (and relative microchip 7) and pin 4 (and relative reader 4.1) obviously remains unchanged. the structures providing and authorizing such additional services must be provided.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS Rev. 1 Combination of a dispenser (1) for dispensing drinks with a container (5) for drinks, said dispenser (1) comprising a containment structure (1.1) and at least one withdrawal station (2), said withdrawal station (2) having: ï € a compartment (3) obtained inside said structure (1.1), suitable for the placement of said container (5) to be filled, ï € a base (3.1) for supporting said vessel (5), ï € at least one beverage dispensing opening, above said base (3.1), said combination being characterized in that from said base (3.1) of said compartment (3) projects a pin (4) having such a shape as to couple with a reciprocally shaped cavity (6), present on the bottom (5.1) of said container (5), so that the mouth (5.2) of said container (5) is vertically aligned with said overlying beverage dispensing opening, and by the fact that the coupling between said pin (4) and said cavity (6) activates a wireless communication system for the exchange of data between said container (5) and said dispenser (1). Rev. 2 Wireless communication system for data exchange between said dispenser (1) and said container (5) according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact of understanding: ï € a reader (4.1) located in said pin (4), ï € a microchip (7) placed on the bottom (6.1) of said cavity (6) of said container (5), equipped with a non-volatile memory for the storage of said data, capable of being read or written by said reader ( 4.1), ï € an antenna suitable for sending and receiving signals between said reader (4.1) and microchip (7), ï € an IT system for managing the data exchanged between said reader (4.1) and microchip (7), said communication system activating only when the coupling between said pin (4) of said dispenser (1) and said cavity (6) of said container (5) occurs. Rev. 3 Communication system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said microchip (7) is fixed by co-molding or gluing to the bottom (6.1) of said cavity (6) of said vessel (5). Rev. 4 Communication system according to any claim from 2 onwards, characterized by the fact that said antenna is located inside said cavity (6) of said vessel (5), in close proximity to said microchip (7). Rev. 5 Communication system according to any of claims 2 onwards, characterized by the fact that said microchip (7) consists of an integrated circuit or a label with RFID or NFC technology. Rev. 6 Communication system according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that said microchip (7) consists of a 13.56 MHz HF label, calibrated to communicate with said reader (4.1) only at a very short distance of about 1-2 cm. Rev. 7 Communication system according to any claim 5 or 6, characterized in that in said cavity (6), substantially adjacent to said microchip (7), there are sensor or mechanical elements, able to ascertain the insertion of said container (5) on said pin (4), so as to activate said system of communication. Rev. 8 Communication system according to any claim from 2 onwards, characterized by the fact that said computer system for managing the data exchanged between said reader (4.1) and microchip (7) comprises a CPU, incorporated in the structure (1.1) of said dispenser (1) and directly connected to said reader (4.1). Rev. 9 Communication system according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that said CPU is connected to a monitor (1.3) integrated in said dispenser (1). Rev. 10 Communication system according to any claim 8 or 9, characterized in that this CPU is equipped with an internet connection to interface with one or more servers. Rev. 11 Communication system according to any claim from 2 onwards, characterized by the fact that said data stored in said microchip (7) include information of the user who owns said container (5) and relating to: ï € o monetary credit available, ï € and / or preferences regarding the type and quantity of beverage dispensed from said dispenser (1), ï € and / or preferences regarding personal activities of said user, connected to the supply of drinks or to services unrelated to such supply, said communication system for the exchange of data between said dispenser (1) and said container (5) activating a series of functional and informative services, which can be provided by said dispenser (1), according to the type of said data stored in said microchip (7). Rev. 12 Communication system according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that said data can be stored in said microchip (7): ï € or at the time of the first purchase or withdrawal of said container (5), by the user who owns said container (5) or by the person selling / supplying said container (5), by means of a portable reader (8) and management software, or at the moment of the first use of said container (5) with said dispenser (1), by the user who owns said container (5) through the monitor (1.3) of said dispenser (1) and management software. Rev. 13 Communication system according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that said data stored in said microchip (7) can be modified and overwritten: or by means of said portable reader (8) and management software, by the user who owns said container (5) or by the person in charge of the sale / supply of said container (5), or by means of said monitor (1.3) of said dispenser (1) and management software, by the user who owns said container (5).