WO2013165269A1

WO2013165269A1 - Container with effects (variants)

Info

Publication number: WO2013165269A1
Application number: PCT/RU2012/000654
Authority: WO
Inventors: Юрий Николаевич ДМИТРИЕВ
Original assignee: Dmitriev Yuryj Nikolaevich
Priority date: 2012-05-02
Filing date: 2012-08-09
Publication date: 2013-11-07
Also published as: EA026383B1; EA201200704A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to containers, in particular for liquids, which in various embodiments of the invention can be equipped with various additional effects, for example lighting elements in the form of light-emitting diodes, liquid crystal displays, liquid crystal screens etc. and/or sound sources and can be in the form of drinking tableware, bottles or similar vessels, vases for flowers etc. What is proposed is: a container with an effect in which an electrical circuit control means is formed integrally in the form of an electronics unit comprising a control circuit board and at least two main contactless sensors, which are connected to the control circuit board and are arranged in areas of non-contiguous portions of the surface of the body and which are capable of short-circuiting the electrical circuit between at least one source of optical radiation and the power supply source with the simultaneous contactless action of a liquid medium on said main sensors, which liquid medium is in contact with the internal surface of the body. The container has a simpler and more reliable system for operating the sources of effects, has greater compactness, has greater reliability and ensures an increase in the duration and an extension of the possible effects, inter alia by virtue of the possibility of automatically controlling the operating modes/characteristics of the effects, and also the diversity in respect of the sources of optical and/or acoustic radiation.

Description

Capacity with effects (options)

The present invention relates to containers, in particular for liquids, which in various embodiments of the invention can be provided with various additional effects, for example, backlight elements in the form of LEDs, liquid crystal displays, liquid crystal screens, etc. and / or sound sources, and may be tableware for drinking, bottles or similar vessels, flower vases, etc. and can be used both for decorative purposes in bars, restaurants, at exhibitions, in swimming pools, at home, etc., and to indicate the level of liquid contained in the container.

Currently, various designs of containers are known with various additional effects, in particular containers with illumination and / or with various sound effects, which use the principle of closing an electric circuit when triggered or a switching element like a button [1, 2] at the moment of mechanical contact with the surface , on which the vessel is placed, or of various types of sensors associated with means for controlling the electrical circuit, in particular with the electronic unit. At the same time, technical solutions in which circuit closure is provided by switches such as buttons, despite the fact that they were created over the past ten years, are practically “outdated” and are increasingly being replaced by technical solutions based on various types of sensors and electronic control sources of optical and / or acoustic effect.

So, a container with effects (backlight) is known, containing a transparent case with an external and internal surface, in which a backlight is installed, which includes at least one light source connected to a power source [3]. At the same time, the tank is additionally equipped with at least two conductive elements connected to the backlight, made of transparent material and placed in at least two non-adjacent sections of at least the outer surface of the housing with the possibility of their bridging by the conductive medium while simultaneously contact with conductive medium. A similar technical solution is also known for a container with sound effects, where a sound source is provided instead of a light source [4]. In the mentioned tank designs, the function of the switch of the electric circuit is performed by a conductive medium, which can be a liquid medium, in contact with the inner and / or outer surface of the tank in the area of the conductive elements, or a human hand in contact with the external surface of the tank in the zone of the conductive elements. In such designs of containers with effects, the main drawback is the placement of conductive elements on the surface of the container body, which can lead to their accidental mechanical damage and, as a result, rupture of the formed electrical circuit. In addition, to create effects that are different in their modes / characteristics (for example, color, luminous flux, etc. for optical radiation sources, sound level, a certain sound sequence, etc. for sound sources), it is necessary to place it on the surface of the case a large number of pairs of conductive elements.

Also known is drinking glassware made in the form of a container with backlight or sound effect, in which the control of the connection of the radiation element to the power supply is carried out by the control unit associated with the vibration sensor [5, 6]. Moreover, the solution of the tank with light and sound effects is known, in which the vibration sensor simultaneously performs the function of an acoustic emitter [7]. However, taking into account the sensitivity of vibration sensors with this design, sensors may accidentally operate and effects occur in spontaneous, random mode, which can lead to the rapid failure of the entire system, which creates effects, or individual elements of the system. In addition, using vibration sensors, it is quite difficult to control the modes / characteristics of effects.

An analysis of the prior art has shown that, as the closest aggregate of common essential features of a technical solution for the claimed capacitance in both cases, the aforementioned capacitance with illumination (in the corresponding embodiment) can be selected, in which the closure of the electrical circuit is carried out using paired (conductive ) elements [3].

Thus, the object of the present invention is to propose a container design with various effects, which would have a simpler and more reliable system for triggering effect sources compared to the known ones, higher compactness, higher reliability, and would provide an increase in duration and expansion of possible effects, including including due to the ability to automatically control modes / characteristics of effects (for example, depending on the level of filling the tank with a liquid medium or for disabling effects when washing containers, including in a dishwasher), as well as multivariance with respect to sources of optical and / or acoustic radiation.

The task in the first embodiment is solved by the claimed capacity with the effect containing a housing with internal and external surfaces, equipped with interconnected means of controlling the electrical circuit, at least one optical radiation source and a power source. The problem is solved due to the fact that the control circuit is made integral in the form of an electronic unit containing a control board, and associated with the control board, at least two main proximity sensors located in areas of non-adjacent sections of the surface of the housing and made with the possibility of circuit an electrical circuit between at least one source of optical radiation and a power source while simultaneously contactlessly affecting said main sensors of a liquid medium contact with the inner surface of the housing.

The problem is also solved by the claimed capacity with the effect in the first embodiment, comprising a housing with internal and external surfaces, equipped with interconnected means for controlling the electrical circuit, at least one source of optical radiation, at least one source of acoustic radiation and a power source . In the second embodiment, the task is solved due to the fact that the control circuit is made integral in the form of an electronic unit containing a control board, and associated with the control board of at least two main proximity sensors located in areas of non-adjacent sections of the surface of the housing and made with the possibility of closing an electrical circuit between at least one radiation source selected from the group comprising an optical radiation source and an acoustic source radiation, and a power source with simultaneous non-contact action on these main sensors of the liquid medium in contact with the inner surface of the housing.

The described design features, despite their technical simplicity, with appropriate software and hardware design of the electronic unit provide almost unlimited possibilities in the formation of optical and / or acoustic effects. Moreover, the “triggering” of effects occurs only if there is a liquid medium in the tank. Moreover, taking into account the features The proposed design may provide for automatic change of modes / parameters of effects when the liquid level in the tank changes.

In addition, given the use of proximity sensors, the entire system for generating an effect, including a power source, an acoustic radiation source, an electronic unit with a control board and proximity sensors, as well as, in some cases, optical radiation sources, can be performed in a single assembly unit , which is installed in the tank body in one operation (in extreme cases, in two if the cover is permanently installed on the bottom zone).

For the inventive capacity with the effect in both versions, the optical radiation source can be selected from the group including at least an LED, a liquid crystal display, and a liquid crystal display. It is possible to combine in various combinations of these and other suitable sources of optical radiation, known to specialists in this field of technology. Moreover, the location of the optical radiation sources, sizes and / or other parameters thereof can be selected in each case by a person skilled in the art, taking into account the particularities of the housing and the purpose of creating the effect. In some cases, it may be sufficient to create a monochrome or polychrome backlight using the appropriate LEDs, which are marked on the body, for example, and the bottom region of the tank. But there are also possible forms of implementation in which a liquid crystal display, for example, installed in the wall of the case, can reproduce a dynamic “picture”, as well as a liquid crystal display of a personal computer or television receiver, depending on the control signal from the control board of the electronic unit.

In preferred embodiments of both embodiments of the claimed capacitance, each sensor is a touch sensor, preferably a non-contact capacitive sensor, preferably made transparent. Currently, capacitive sensors are developed that respond to a wide variety of substances - solid and liquid, metals and dielectrics. In this regard, it will not be difficult for a specialist in the field of technology to select suitable non-contact capacitive sensors for pairwise installation on the housing. At the same time, depending on the specific form of the sensor, in particular the non-contact capacitive sensor, they can be applied to the tank body by any method known to one skilled in the art, including, for example, spraying and gluing.

Given the design features of the claimed capacity in both versions, it is not necessary to make the case of a transparent material partially or completely. In the General case, the container body can be made entirely of opaque material, and the source of optical radiation (for example, a liquid crystal display or a liquid crystal display) is placed on the outer side surface of the housing.

At the same time, in a number of preferred forms of implementation of the claimed capacity in both embodiments, the housing can be made transparent at least on part of its surface. The case may be made of a material, preferably selected from the group including at least glass and rigid polymeric materials for food purposes, among which polycarbonate has recently become more widespread.

In a number of preferred forms of implementation, the claimed capacitance in both versions contains an additional sensor, preferably a sensor, located on a portion of the housing surface adjacent to the main sensors and connected to the control board with the possibility of opening an electric circuit between at least one optical radiation source and a source power supply in the electronic unit with simultaneous non-contact action of the liquid medium on the primary and secondary sensors, with an additional sensor redpochtitelno placed on the outer surface of the housing in an area selected from the group consisting of a bottom zone and the lower zone of the lateral surface. The inclusion of the specified additional sensor in the design allows you to prevent "unauthorized operation" of the electric circuit control, for example, when washing containers, including in the dishwasher, when the liquid medium (water or water with detergent) comes into contact not only with the internal, but and with the outer surface of the container body.

From the point of view of ensuring optimal “response” modes of the electric circuit control, the main sensors can preferably be placed on the outer surface of the housing, including the bottom zone and / or the side surface area of the housing, or in the body of the housing, and the electronic unit is placed on the housing from the side of its external surfaces, including the bottom zone and / or the side surface area of the hull. To expand the range of modes / parameter in the first embodiment of the capacitance, the control board is configured to change the parameters of optical radiation depending on one of the conditions selected from the group including at least the level of the liquid medium in contact with the inner surface of the housing and the time interval electrical circuit closure, and in the second embodiment, with the possibility of changing the parameters of at least one radiation selected from the group including optical and acoustic from radiation depending on one of the conditions selected from the group including at least the level of the liquid medium in contact with the inner surface of the housing, and the time interval for closing the electrical circuit. Moreover, the features of the preferred forms of implementation of optical radiation sources were mentioned above, and the source / and acoustic radiation, in the General case, is chosen in such a way as to provide the ability to play, as separate various sounds and sound sequences (including melodies, words, phrases, etc.). In a number of implementation forms, for example, when the optical radiation source is made in the form of a liquid crystal display placed in the wall of the container body, when the dynamic picture is “transmitted” to it, synchronous control of the modes of both the optical source and the acoustic radiation source is possible.

The simplicity and originality of the solution described above with respect to controlling the closure of the electric circuit, including taking into account the capacity of combining the optical and acoustic effects proposed in the second embodiment, makes it possible to obtain the capacity of the original design and a wide range of different applications with the appropriate hardware and software solution of the electronic unit. At the same time, taking into account the level of development of electronics, all elements of the electric circuit control (electronic unit with a control board and proximity sensors), as well as sources of acoustic effect and a power source can be so minimized in size that they will not be noticeable when properly placed in a container case and slightly increase the total mass of the tank. In addition, the electrical circuit can be completely insulated in the container body. This can be achieved, for example, in cases where the container body is made of polycarbonate, all elements of the effect generation system, with the exception of optical and / or acoustic radiation sources, are placed in a recess formed in the bottom zone of the body from the outer surface, and a recess after “flashing” the control and switching board of the entire system, it is closed by a lid, which is then permanently attached to the bottom area of the casing. Thus, the effectiveness of the capacity increases many times, and the possible areas of its application expand. So, in addition to the traditional for such containers with the effects of using as drinking utensils (glasses, glasses, etc.) and bottles, the claimed container can be used, for example, as a flower vase, which will “inform” about the need to add / change water, etc.

The advantages and advantages of the claimed capacity with effects below will be discussed in more detail and described with reference to the positions of the figures of the drawings, which clearly illustrate only some examples of possible implementations of the capacity, which should not be considered as limiting. Moreover, taking into account that the capacitance options differ only in the absence or presence of acoustic radiation source / s, the general types of examples of various forms of realization of the capacitance will be illustrated by the same images. The drawings show:

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a general view of a container in one form of implementation;

FIG. 2 - FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of various embodiments of non-contact touch sensors;

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a general view of a container with a liquid crystal display / screen as an optical radiation source.

In FIG. 1 schematically depicts a General view of the capacity in section with a liquid medium in one example implementation, in which LEDs are provided as sources of optical radiation. The container contains a housing 1 in the bottom zone 2 of which, on the side of the outer surface, a recess 3 is made, in which an effect generation system is implemented as one common unit. The effect generation system contains interconnected electric circuit control means (an electronic unit with a control board 4 and, in this form of implementation, two main non-contact capacitive sensors 5), optical radiation sources in the form of LEDs 6, and an acoustic radiation source in the form of a sound card (on the drawing is not shown and the position is not indicated, because it may be part of the electronic unit) and the power source 7. To simplify the drawing, the recess 3 in the bottom zone 2 of the housing 1 of the tank is shown open. At the same time, as already mentioned above, the recess 3 in the bottom zone 2 can be closed with a one-piece bonded lid. In the tank is a liquid medium 8, which is in contact with the inner surface 9 of the housing 1 of the tank. In FIG. 2 - FIG. 7 schematically depicts various forms of execution and relative positioning of non-contact sensor (capacitive) sensors 5, located in areas of non-adjacent sections of the housing surface (in the bottom zone 3 from the outer surface) and configured to close an electrical circuit between at least one optical source radiation 6 (and / or a source of acoustic radiation, if any) and a power source 7 with simultaneous non-contact action on these main sensors of the liquid medium 8 in contact with the inner surface 9 of the housing 1 capacity. In FIG. 2 - FIG. 7 it is clearly seen that the sensors 5 are separated from each other (i.e., located in areas of non-adjacent sections).

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a general view of a container with a liquid crystal screen (or indicator) 10 as an optical radiation source located in a recess provided in the side wall 1 1 of the container body 1 from the outer surface side. The container in this form of implementation can be made, for example, of polycarbonate. At the same time, the container can be made of a completely opaque material, as The optical effect is formed using a direct liquid crystal display or liquid crystal display. A liquid crystal indicator, for example, can display the current value of the amount of liquid medium contained in the tank 8 (for example, in ml), or, for example, the name or logo of the drink that is contained in the container.

The principles of operation of the claimed container with the effects below will be discussed in more detail in one example implementation, in which the claimed container is a glassware for drinking such as a glass, with reference to the positions of FIG. 1 drawings.

They preassemble an effect generation system into one unit, which contains interconnected electric circuit control means (an electronic unit with a control board 4 and, in this form of implementation, two contactless capacitive sensors 5), optical radiation sources in the form of LEDs 6, and an acoustic source radiation in the form of a sound card (not shown in the drawing and not indicated by position, as it is part of the electronic unit) and power supply 7. Moreover, the control board 4 is “stitched” in accordance with preset "program of work" capacity. For example, the program includes the possibility of increasing the luminous flux depending on the increase in the level of the liquid medium 8 and vice versa, decreasing the luminous flux to zero during a specified time interval, sound notification of certain levels (maximum and / or minimum, both by a specific sound signal and a certain phrase) of a liquid medium 8, a demonstration of certain videos, etc. In principle, the control board 4 can be “flashed” in such a way that it will remotely receive control signals and, in accordance with them, form optical and / or acoustic effects. The block of the effect generation system may also contain an unpaired additional non-contact sensor located on a portion of the outer surface of the housing 1 that is not adjacent to the main sensors 5 and connected to the control board 4 with the possibility of opening an electric circuit between the optical radiation sources (LEDs 5) and the power supply 7 in the electronic unit with simultaneous non-contact action of the liquid medium on the primary and secondary sensors. To simplify the image and taking into account the obviousness of possible forms of implementation (by analogy with the main sensors), an additional sensor is not shown in the drawings.

A pre-assembled block of the effect formation system is installed in the recess 3 in the bottom zone 2 of the container body 1 and, if necessary, the lid is permanently attached (not shown in the drawing).

The main non-contact capacitive sensors 5 begin to operate at the moment when the liquid medium 8 begins to contact the inner surface of the tank body 1 simultaneously in the zones corresponding to the main non-contact capacitive sensors 5. In this case, the signal from the sensor enters the control board 4 of the electronic unit, where (depending from the readings of the main non-contact capacitive sensors 5) a signal is generated that closes the electric circuit between the LEDs 6 and the power source 7, and the signal is generated so that 6 carefree operation of LEDs in a given time and the given parameters (in accordance with current readings main contactless capacitive sensors 5). Similarly, for the capacitance in the second embodiment, an electrical circuit is closed between the acoustic radiation source and the power source 7 (regardless of the operation of the LEDs 6 or in a mode consistent with them). After a specified time interval has elapsed, or when liquid 8 has been removed from the tank (when both main non-contact capacitive sensors 5, or at least one of them are “turned off”), the control board 4 generates a signal to open the electric circuit between the power source and LEDs 6 and / or a source of acoustic radiation. In the case of contact of the container body 1 with a liquid medium, in which there is no need for the formation of an optical and / or acoustic effect, in particular, during washing of the container, including in the dishwasher, to automatically turn off the effect generation mode in the block of the effect generation system additional non-contact capacitive sensor, which is located on a portion of the housing surface non-adjacent to the main non-contact capacitive sensors 5. An additional sensor (not shown in the drawings) the control board in such a way that, when the liquid medium (from the side of the inner and outer surfaces of the housing 1) has a noncontact effect on the main 5 and additional sensors, the control board 4 generates a control signal that opens the electrical circuit between the LEDs 6 and / or the acoustic radiation source and 7 power source.

The above description of the operation of one of the possible forms of implementation of the claimed capacity remains valid for other possible forms of implementation, including that shown in FIG. 8, where the optical radiation source is made in the form of a liquid crystal indicator or liquid crystal display 10 located on the housing 1 of the tank on the side of the outer surface. In this case, the geometric shape of the liquid crystal indicator or liquid crystal display 10, as well as its dimensions and the area of placement and orientation (vertical / horizontal) can be selected in each case, based on the shape, size and functional purpose of the tank itself.

In addition, there are possible forms of implementation of the capacitance in which the sources of optical radiation are made in the form of LEDs and in the form of a liquid crystal display or liquid crystal display simultaneously with the possibility of independent or coordinated control of their operation modes via the control board 4 in accordance with the current readings of the main non-contact capacitive sensors.

It should also be noted that all devices and elements, in particular, from the composition of the effect generation system (control board 4, main 5 and additional proximity sensors, LEDs 6 and / or liquid crystal display, and / or liquid crystal display, sound source, power supply 7) can be selected by a specialist in accordance with the specific form of the container, its purpose, the expected conditions of its operation, etc. Information sources.

1. DE patent; 19842893 A1, publ. 30.03.2000

2. Patent DE N ° 20211408 A1, publ. 30.01.2003

3. Patent EA fo007145 Bl, publ. 08.25.2006.

4. Patent EA N ° 007144 Bl, publ. 08.25.2006.

5. Patent RU L ° 2100006 C1, publ. 27.12.1997.

6. Patent RU j s 2236809 C1, publ. September 27, 2004.

Claims

Claim

1. A container with an effect, comprising a housing with internal and external surfaces, equipped with interconnected electric circuit control means, at least one optical radiation source and a power source, characterized in that the electric circuit control means is made integral in the form of an electronic unit, containing a control board, and associated with the control board, at least two main proximity sensors located in areas of non-adjacent sections of the housing surface and made with possible the closure of the electrical circuit between at least one source of optical radiation and a power source with simultaneous non-contact action on these main sensors of the liquid medium in contact with the inner surface of the housing.

2. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the optical radiation source is selected from the group comprising at least an LED, a liquid crystal indicator and a liquid crystal display.

3. Capacity according to any one of paragraphs. 1 or 2, characterized in that each sensor is a sensor sensor, preferably a non-contact capacitive sensor, preferably made transparent.

4. The container according to claim 3, characterized in that the sensor is applied to the housing by a method selected from the group including at least spraying and gluing.

5. Capacity according to any one of paragraphs. 1 to 4, characterized in that the housing is made transparent, at least on part of its surface, from a material, preferably selected from the group including at least glass and rigid polymeric materials for food purposes.

6. Capacity according to any one of paragraphs. 1 to 4, characterized in that it contains an additional sensor, preferably a sensor sensor, located on a portion of the housing surface that is not adjacent to the main sensors and connected to the control board with the possibility of opening an electrical circuit between at least one optical radiation source and an electronic power source the block with simultaneous non-contact action of the liquid medium on the main and additional sensors, and the additional sensor is preferably located on the outer surface of the housing in the area, selected from the group including the bottom zone and the lower zone of the side surface.

7. Capacity according to any one of paragraphs. 1 to 4, characterized in that the main sensors are placed on the outer surface of the housing, including the bottom zone and / or the zone of the side surface of the housing, or in the body of the housing, and the electronic unit is placed on the housing from the side of its outer surface, including the bottom zone and / or the area of the side surface of the housing.

8. Capacity according to any one of paragraphs. 1 to 4, characterized in that the control board is configured to change the parameters of optical radiation depending on one of the conditions selected from the group including at least the level of the liquid medium in contact with the inner surface of the housing, and the time interval for closing the electrical circuit .

9. A container with an effect, comprising a housing with internal and external surfaces, provided with interconnected electric circuit control means, at least one optical radiation source, at least one acoustic radiation source and a power source, characterized in that the control means the electrical circuit is made integral in the form of an electronic unit containing a control board, and associated with the control board, at least two main proximity sensors located in areas not adjacent sections of the housing surface and configured to close an electrical circuit between at least one radiation source selected from the group comprising an optical radiation source and an acoustic radiation source, and a power source while simultaneously contacting said main sensors of a liquid medium in contact with an internal housing surface.

10. A container according to claim 9, characterized in that the optical radiation source is selected from the group comprising at least an LED, a liquid crystal indicator and a liquid crystal display.

1 1. Capacity according to any one of paragraphs. 9 or 10, characterized in that each sensor is a sensor sensor, preferably a non-contact capacitive sensor, preferably made transparent.

12. The container according to claim 11, characterized in that the sensor is applied to the housing by a method selected from the group comprising at least spraying and gluing.

13. Capacity according to any one of paragraphs. 9 to 12, characterized in that the casing is made transparent, at least on part of its surface from material, preferably selected from the group comprising at least glass and rigid polymeric materials for food purposes.

14. Capacity according to any one of paragraphs. 9 to 12, characterized in that it comprises an additional sensor, preferably a sensor, located on a portion of the housing surface that is not adjacent to the main sensors and connected to the control board with the possibility of opening an electrical circuit between at least one radiation source selected from the group including an optical radiation source and an acoustic radiation source, and a power source in the electronic unit with simultaneous non-contact action of a liquid medium on the primary and secondary sensors, m additional sensor is preferably located on the outer surface of the housing in the area selected from the group including the bottom zone and the lower zone of the side surface.

15. Capacity according to any one of paragraphs. 9 to 12, characterized in that the main sensors are located on the outer surface of the housing, including the bottom zone and / or the zone of the side surface of the housing, or in the body of the housing, and the electronic unit is placed on the housing from the side of its outer surface, including the bottom zone and / or the area of the side surface of the housing.

16. Capacity according to any one of paragraphs. 9 to 12, characterized in that the control board is configured to change parameters of at least one radiation selected from the group including optical and acoustic radiation depending on one of the conditions selected from the group including at least a level liquid medium in contact with the inner surface of the housing, and the time interval for the closure of the electrical circuit.