WO2021198970A1 - Optimized container for a consumer product - Google Patents

Optimized container for a consumer product Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2021198970A1
WO2021198970A1 PCT/IB2021/052723 IB2021052723W WO2021198970A1 WO 2021198970 A1 WO2021198970 A1 WO 2021198970A1 IB 2021052723 W IB2021052723 W IB 2021052723W WO 2021198970 A1 WO2021198970 A1 WO 2021198970A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
optimized container
optimized
container
lid
product
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2021/052723
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Joel Fernando GALLEGO SALCEDO
Original Assignee
Reg Technologies Srl
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from IT102020000006928A external-priority patent/IT202000006928A1/en
Application filed by Reg Technologies Srl filed Critical Reg Technologies Srl
Publication of WO2021198970A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021198970A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/06—Buying, selling or leasing transactions
    • G06Q30/0601—Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/28—Handles
    • B65D25/2867—Handles with respective ends fixed to local areas of two opposite sides or wall-part
    • B65D25/2873—Straps or slings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/54—Inspection openings or windows
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
    • B65D77/0446—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section not formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks
    • B65D77/0453—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section not formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks the inner container having a polygonal cross-section
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G16—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION FIELDS
    • G16Y—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE INTERNET OF THINGS [IoT]
    • G16Y20/00—Information sensed or collected by the things
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
    • B65D2203/04—Level indicators
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2203/00—Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
    • B65D2203/10—Transponders

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an optimized container for a consumer product.
  • the present invention also relates to a device for transporting an optimized container for a consumer product, and to a method of use of the aforementioned optimized container.
  • the present invention relates to an optimized container for a consumer product, of the type which includes specific electronic items, wireless data transmission protocols, as well as computer platforms for managing said data.
  • the reference technical field is the sector of industrial packaging, functional to the storage, distribution and sale of consumer products, referring by such terms to articles of substantially daily use, in particular, though not exclusively, to food and detergents.
  • the containers currently used to store consumer products are generally made of plastic, metal, paper, glass or a combination of these materials, and the same containers, after being use, are disposed of by recycling them, whenever possible, or thrown into landfills, in case they cannot be recycled.
  • a first example of a known technical solution is the subject of the US patent application US2010106446A1, which describes a method for determining an attribute of a substance in a container, in response to an access event, and comprises the activation of a sensor in response to the occurrence of the event, with an output signal providing an indication of the attribute of the substance.
  • the steps of the method relate to associate the sensor, with its identifier, to the container, and to send the identifier and a sensor output that provides an indication of the attribute of the content, for example the quantity, to a remote device.
  • the indication of such quantity of the substance in the container is a measure of at least one variable among height, weight, mass and volume of the substance itself.
  • US patent application US2008210702A1 discloses an integrated system for the distribution of household or consumer products, which includes one or more containers of dispensable products, preferably disposable, providing elements sensitive to a state and connected to a processor.
  • the system aims to increase the convenience, safety, effectiveness of use and supply of the product. It is possible to automatically and/or semi-automatically manage an inventory of users of one or more products, and to determine when it is necessary to replenish them.
  • the system contemplates the further option of automatically and/or semi-automatically carrying out restocking transactions with e-commerce suppliers and/or carrying out related transactions with shippers and financial institutions, in order to provide a convenient replenishment of the product containers.
  • US patent application US2015366411A1 describes a communication system for household appliances that provides consumers with the ability to remotely access information related to the same household appliances, in particular household appliances that use consumable resources which may need to be periodically replaced or replenished.
  • the appliance communication system can periodically receive the aforementioned information, upon request or through alerts activated in response to certain events.
  • an electric soap dispenser comprises a housing, a power supply supported by the housing, a tank configured to store liquid soap supported by the housing, at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of liquid soap in the tank, an electronic control unit connected to the sensor and configured to activate it and to detect the presence of liquid soap in the tank and, in addition, a communication device connected to the electronic control unit and configured to transmit to a computer system, separate from the electric soap dispenser, the estimated quantity of liquid soap remaining inside the tank.
  • the known optimized containers for consumer products suffer from some limitations, in addition to those previously mentioned, among which the fact that, in order to verify the quantities of products remaining inside them, a user needs at least a visual contact with the stored product. This means that the container is transparent and/or that the user opens it to visually check the quantity left. Furthermore, a visual contact is not always sufficient to estimate, with adequate accuracy, the quantity of product left to plan, if necessary, a restock of the same product.
  • a further drawback is related to the fact that the user, in order to restock the customer products must generally go personally and physically to a resale, and transport, after purchase, the container with the product inside to his home or to the place of use. This aspect determines a significant inconvenience for the user who needs to move, even from afar, and a not negligible waste of time, with the aggravating circumstance that such movements, carried out by means of transport having combustion engines, cause considerable atmospheric pollution due to the exhaust fumes of these vehicles.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to provide an optimized container for a consumer product having a low environmental impact that can be easily and quickly reused, reducing landfill disposal and the need for recycling of materials, with consequent consumption of energy, new materials and waste of time, thus having characteristics so as to overcome the limitations that still affect the current optimized containers for consumer products, with reference to the known technique.
  • a further purpose of the present invention is to provide an optimized container for a consumer product that does not require the user to have a visual contact with the product itself in order to evaluate the remaining quantity, and that allows the same user to be informed in real time about the residual quantity/product depletion, without the need to verify it physically and personally, by using efficient and non-invasive sensors and electronics.
  • a further purpose of the present invention is to provide an optimized container for a consumer product that does not force the user to have to move to supply of desired products, and that allows the user himself to order a supply easily and/or automatically.
  • Another purpose of the present invention, as previously described, is to provide a device for transporting the optimized container as well as a method of use of the same optimized container, in order to reduce landfill disposal and/or atmospheric pollution.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to provide a container, a device for transporting the container and a method of use of the same container highly reliable, relatively easy to manufacture and that are inexpensive.
  • an optimized container for a consumer product is provided, as defined in claim 1.
  • a device for transporting the optimized container for a consumer product is also provided, as defined in claim 7.
  • - figure 1 shows a front view of an optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention
  • - figures 2a and 2b show two different overall exploded views of the optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention
  • FIG 3 shows a perspective view of three components of the optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention
  • figure 4 shows a front view of a device for transporting the optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention
  • - figure 5 shows an overall exploded view of the device for transporting the optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention
  • FIG. 6 shows an explanatory block diagram concerning a method of use of the optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention
  • FIG. 7a and 7b show, respectively, perspective views of a component of the optimized container for a consumer product, and of the same component coupled to a further component of the optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention.
  • the optimized container 10 for a consumer product comprises:
  • a body 11 configured for containing said consumer product; - a lid 12 able to close the body 11;
  • management means comprising at least one sensor 18 and data transmission means configured for transmitting data detected by said at least one sensor 18, with said management means configured for detecting the quantity of the product contained inside the optimized container 10 and, in addition, for managing the aforementioned detected quantity.
  • the optimized container 10 is preferably suitable for containing food and/or detergents.
  • the body 11 has substantially the shape of a glass having over one or more walls 13 a window 14 made of an at least partially transparent material, to allow a visual contact with the product contained inside the optimized container 10.
  • the optimized container 10 comprises an interface element 15 interposed between the body 11 and the lid 12.
  • the aforementioned interface element 15 is substantially annular and traces the internal profile of the body 11 in correspondence with one of its upper ends, when in use, and is inserted inside the same upper end 16 of the body 11, upper end 16 of the body 11 which, still in use, is the end closed by means of the lid 12.
  • the interface element 15 is associated/fitted to the body 11, and the lid 12 is constrained/hinged to the same interface element 15 by means of a hinge element 50.
  • the lid 12 is constrained/hinged to the same interface element 15 by means of a hinge element 50.
  • the body 11 and the interface element 15 that couples them are made, preferably, of plastic material, such as polypropylene or high-density HDPE polyethylene.
  • the optimized container 10 in case the optimized container 10 is intended to contain food products, there may be a layer of food silicone and/or polylactic acid (PLA), at least in the area intended for contact with such products.
  • PVA polylactic acid
  • the lid 12 and/or the base of the body 11 are coated with a layer of silicone or similar material.
  • the optimized container 10 is made of washable materials that allow it to be reused, in the order of a thousand times.
  • the lid 12 has a substantially box-like shape and comprises a bottom 17, better shown in figure 3.
  • the lid 12 contains the management means configured for detecting the quantity of the product contained inside the optimized container 10 and for managing the aforementioned detected quantity.
  • the at least one sensor 18 is of the sonar type and/or a laser sensor and/or a capacitive sensor and/or a vision sensor.
  • an electronic board 20 hermetically insulated from the outside.
  • over the aforementioned electronic board 20 are positioned, preferably welded:
  • the data transmission means preferably wireless means, not shown in the figures;
  • a battery able to power the electronic board 20; a capacitive sensor 21 configured for enabling/activating the electronic board 20 to be switched on, following the closure of the lid 12 over the body 11; a plurality of electrical pins 22 able to be electrical connected to a power source external to the optimized container 10.
  • the electrical pins 22 are protruding/accessible from a side wall 23 of the lid 12, for example the one bound to the interface element 15, as shown in figure 2a.
  • the electronic board 20 comprises also a processing unit, for example a microcontroller unit, and a memory unit, preferably a flash memory unit, connected to said processing unit and able to temporarily store the data detected by the at least one sensor 18.
  • a processing unit for example a microcontroller unit
  • a memory unit preferably a flash memory unit
  • the external power source is able to recharge the aforementioned battery.
  • the sensors 18 are, preferably, two at least.
  • the lid 12 comprises a LED 24 connected to the electronic board 20 and able to signal the various operating phases of the optimized container 10.
  • the LED 24 is placed over a side wall of the lid 12, preferably over the same side wall 23 from which the electrical pins 22 protrude/are accessible, as shown in figure 2b.
  • the optimized container 10 comprises a hinge element 50, previously mentioned, substantially 'L'-shaped.
  • said hinge element 50 comprises a wing 51, that is a flat element, inserted in the lid 12 and integral with it, and a core 52, i.e., a further flat element, which can slide at least partially within a perimeter edge of the interface element 15, along a direction orthogonal to the direction of development of said perimeter edge.
  • the sliding of the core 52 which can be moved by a distance in the order of 1 cm, within the perimeter edge of the interface element 15, allows the opening of the optimized container 10.
  • the core 52 is fixed, at an end the opposite to that from which the wing 51 extends, as shown in figure 7b, to a magnetic bar 25, sliding at the same time as the core 52 into a perimeter window 53 of the interface element 15.
  • Said perimeter window 53 has a lower edge 54 and an upper edge 55, with the lower edge 54 comprising an area covered by a metallic layer 56 which interacts with the magnetic bar 25, according to a closed configuration of the optimized container 10, when the lid 12 closes the body 11.
  • the upper edge 55 has a sliding opening 57, able to let the core 52 slide through it, having a section almost equal to the section of the core 52 and lower than that of the magnetic bar 25.
  • the walls of this sliding opening 57 of the core 52 consist of the walls of a metallic annular 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 a plastic material, such as flexible rubber, inside which there are two separate passages/tracks for, respectively, a first and a second electrical wire, not shown in the figures.
  • the hinge element 50 comprises: - a first electrical terminal 60a and a second electrical terminal 60b placed in correspondence with a free end of the wing 51 and connected/soldered to the electronic board 20; a third electrical terminal 61a and a fourth electrical terminal 61b placed respectively on two opposite side walls of the core 52 and able to be placed in correspondence with the metallic annular element 58 of the interface element 15 when the lid 12 is positioned so as to close the body 11.
  • the aforementioned first wire connects the first electrical terminal 60a to the third electrical terminal 61a, while the second wire connects the second electrical terminal 60b to the fourth electrical terminal 61b.
  • the lid 12 In use, when the optimized container 10 according to the invention is opened, the lid 12 is lifted from the body 11, the core 52 slides upwards through the sliding opening 57 of the upper edge 55 of the perimeter window 53, and together with said core 52 also the magnetic bar 25 moves, causing a magnetic attraction with the metallic annular element 58. According to this opening configuration, therefore, the magnetic bar 25 is in contact with the metallic annular element 58, in this way determining a stable opening configuration of the optimized container 10, meaning with the terms "stable configuration" a configuration which, in order to be modified, requires the application of a force.
  • the lid 12 is lowered towards the body 11, the core 52 of the hinge element 50 slides downwards through the sliding opening 57 of the upper edge 55 of the perimeter window 53, and together with the core 52 also the magnetic bar 25 moves, causing a magnetic attraction with the metallic layer 56 of the lower edge 54 of the perimeter window 53.
  • the magnetic bar 25 is in contact with the metallic layer 56, determining a stable closing configuration of the optimized container 10.
  • the third and fourth electrical terminals 61a, 61b are both in contact with the metallic annular element 58, closing an electrical circuit, whose perimeter includes also the first and the second electrical wire, and the electronic board 20, powered by the battery following the activation of a magnetic sensor 21a, placed in the lid 12 in correspondence with a side wall opposite to the side wall 23, as shown in figure 3, also configured for a self-power on of the electronic board 20 itself.
  • a magnetic sensor 21a placed in the lid 12 in correspondence with a side wall opposite to the side wall 23, as shown in figure 3, also configured for a self-power on of the electronic board 20 itself.
  • the interface element 15 has a plurality, preferably three, of magnetic contacts 21b, shown in figure 3 and placed in correspondence with a perimeter edge opposite the perimeter edge on which the perimeter window 53 is obtained, able to implement the aforementioned activation/excitation of the magnetic sensor 21a, included in the lid 12, in the closing configuration, thus avoiding an accidental opening of the optimized container 10 and improving the closing operation itself.
  • Such a possibility, to disassemble the optimized container 10 in order to repair or substitute only one between the lid 12 and the body 11, overcome the limitations of the known containers, often made of a single part and dismissed when damaged.
  • the substitution of the body 11 only, when not fixable or come to the end of its life cycle, allowed by the two-part design thanks to the interface element 15, ensures to keep using the lid 12 and the electronics enclosed into it, still reducing the environmental impact of the optimized container 10.
  • the present invention also relates to a device 30, with reference to figures 4 and 5, configured for transporting one or more optimized containers 10.
  • the device 30 for transporting at least one optimized container 10 comprises a structure 32 that includes at least one housing 33 able to house at least one optimized container 10, with the same housing 33 having the profile of said optimized container 10, and a handle 31 fixed to the structure 32.
  • the structure 32 comprises a base 34, a first side wall 35a and a second side wall 35b, both side walls being 'L'-shaped, orthogonal to the base 34 and placed in correspondence with respective opposite ends of the base 34.
  • to each of the aforementioned side walls 35a, 35b is fixed a corresponding end of the handle 31.
  • the structure 32 comprises also a functional wall 36, comprised between the side walls 35a, 35b and orthogonal to said side walls
  • the structure 32 comprises an electrical power supply port 39, for example a micro-USB port.
  • the functional wall 36 comprises, in correspondence with each housing 33, a magnetic terminal 37, connected to the electrical power supply port 39 by means of an electrical connection 40, comprising further electrical pins able to electrically couple with the corresponding electric pins 22 of a corresponding optimized container 10, in order to recharge the corresponding battery of each electronic board 20.
  • each magnetic terminal 37 is enclosed within a case 38, from which only the respective electrical pins are accessible.
  • the device 30 it is possible to connect the device 30 to an electrical power supply grid, not shown in the figures, by means of the electrical power supply port 39, so as to power, through each magnetic terminal 37 of the structure 32, the batteries of all the optimized containers 10 housed into the device 30 and electrically connected to the structure 32, through the electrical connection between the electrical pins 22 of each optimized container 10 and those of a corresponding magnetic terminal 37.
  • the base 34 of the structure 32 has a lowered portion 41, visible in figure 5, extending for substantially an entire area comprised between the two side walls 35a and 35b, able to house a clamp, not shown in the figures, useful for anchoring several optimized containers 10 stacked in the device 30.
  • the device is a lowered portion 41, visible in figure 5, extending for substantially an entire area comprised between the two side walls 35a and 35b, able to house a clamp, not shown in the figures, useful for anchoring several optimized containers 10 stacked in the device 30.
  • the device According to another aspect of the invention, the device
  • FIG. 30 is made of plastic, preferably recycled, and/or a metallic material, and both the optimized container 10 and the device 30 may have colors and decorations according to the preferences of a user.
  • Figure 6 relates, as mentioned, to an explanatory block diagram of a method of use of the optimized container 10 for a consumer product, method representing a further object of the present invention.
  • the method of use of the optimized container 10 is based on a platform, e.g., a computer platform, that uses a web server 100, and comprises:
  • - a step of saving data to the web server 100, data that are saved in real time and relates to at least one optimized container 10, and/or to at least one user 101 and/or to at least one product 102 contained inside said at least one optimized container 10;
  • - a step during which the at least one user 101 sends identification data concerning himself to the web server 100 by registering on said platform, by means of a user interface 103, and/or creates a user profile concerning himself, with the same user profile being password-protected;
  • - a step of sending the data related to the quantity of said at least one product 102 from said at least one optimized container 10, each time said at least one optimized container 10 is opened and then closed, to the web server 100, with said web server 100 which sends the data concerning the quantity of said at least one product 102 to a manufacturing company 104 and/or to said user interface 103 of said at least one user 101.
  • the at least one user 101 by means of the user interface 103, buys at least one product 102 and/or buys again at least one product 102 and/or schedules periodic orders concerning the at least one product 102.
  • a unique code 105 is associated with the at least one optimized container 10, and the web server 100 stores and controls the data related to at least one optimized container 10, with reference to the corresponding unique code 105, in each step of the life cycle of the same optimized container 10.
  • such data concerning each optimized container 10, with reference to the corresponding unique code 105 and in each step of the life cycle of the same optimized container 10, consist of the production, each use of the optimized container 10, the acquisition made by the manufacturing company 104 of the product 102, the filling, the transportation to the place of storage and/or the place of use, the storage, the consumption of the product 102 contained in the optimized container 10, each washing, disposal/end of life of the optimized container 10.
  • the user interface 103 is preferably a specific app for smartphones and/or tablets.
  • the products 102 purchased, purchased again or ordered periodically by users 101 are delivered, packaged into one or more optimized containers 10 directly to the house of the user 101 and/or to a place indicated by the user 101 when purchasing/ordering, and/or at a collecting point chosen by the user 101 among pre-established points.
  • the optimized containers 10, having the products 102 inside are transported into one or more devices 30.
  • each optimized container 10 communicates, thanks to its data transmission means through, preferably, a router of the user 101, with the web server 100 about the successful delivery.
  • the capacitive sensor 21 or the magnetic sensor 21a activates the electronic board 20.
  • the sensors 18 perform a measurement of the data concerning the product 101 still inside the corresponding optimized container 10, data that are then sent to the web server 100 through the data transmission means onboard the corresponding electronic board 20.
  • the web server 100 finally sends the aforementioned data to the manufacturing company 104 and to the user 101 who uses them, by means of the user interface 103, having the possibility of knowing always in real time the quantity of product 102 present in the optimized containers 10, without the need for a visual contact with them.
  • the empty optimized containers 10 are picked up and replaced with optimized containers 10 full of product 102, and are transported to the manufacturing company 104 which washes said empty optimized containers 10, checks and fills them again, ready for a new order. In this way, the optimized container 10 is reused, at the same time reducing both landfill disposal and the recycling of the optimized container 10 itself.
  • the optimized container for a consumer product allows the user to avoid a visual contact with the product in order to evaluate its remaining quantity, and ensures the same user to be informed in real time about the residual quantity and the exhaustion of product without the need for a direct checking.
  • Another advantage of the optimized container for a consumer product according to the invention is that it avoids the user to move to get supplies and allows the same user to order a restock easily and/or automatically, reducing at the same time the air pollution caused by its possible displacement.
  • Another advantage of the optimized container for a consumer product according to the invention is that it is simple to use and requires an easy and low maintenance.
  • a further advantage of the optimized container for a consumer product and of the device for transporting according to the invention is that they are inexpensive.
  • a further advantage of the optimized container for a consumer product according to the invention is that it can be reused easily and quickly, and reduces landfill disposal and the need for material recycling, avoiding the consumption of energy and new materials, as well as waste of time.
  • the optimized container for a consumer product and the device for transporting according to the invention consider the use of materials with a reduced environmental impact.
  • the optimized container for a consumer product and the related device for transporting according to the invention are of reduced complexity, with reference to mass production.

Abstract

Optimized container (10) for a consumer product, comprising: - a body (11) configured for containing said consumer product; - a lid (12) able to close the body (11); - management means comprising at least one sensor (18) and data transmission means configured for transmitting data detected by said at least one sensor (18), said management means being able to detect the quantity of the product contained inside the optimized container (10) and to manage said detected quantity. The lid (12) encloses an electronic board (20) hermetically insulated from the outside, over which are placed: - the sensor (18); - the data transmission means; - a battery able to power said electronic board (20); - a capacitive sensor (21); - a plurality of electrical pins (22) able to be electrically connected to a power source external to the optimized container (10) and able to recharge the battery.

Description

DESCRIPTION
"Optimized container for a consumer product"
★ ★ ★
The present invention relates to an optimized container for a consumer product.
The present invention also relates to a device for transporting an optimized container for a consumer product, and to a method of use of the aforementioned optimized container.
In particular, the present invention relates to an optimized container for a consumer product, of the type which includes specific electronic items, wireless data transmission protocols, as well as computer platforms for managing said data.
The reference technical field is the sector of industrial packaging, functional to the storage, distribution and sale of consumer products, referring by such terms to articles of substantially daily use, in particular, though not exclusively, to food and detergents.
The containers currently used to store consumer products are generally made of plastic, metal, paper, glass or a combination of these materials, and the same containers, after being use, are disposed of by recycling them, whenever possible, or thrown into landfills, in case they cannot be recycled.
This known technique has some drawbacks: first of all, the containers disposed of in landfills provoke a considerable consumption and waste of material, which cannot be reused, and a consequent not negligible bulk in the disposal sites. This aspect causes a further problem of environmental pollution. The recycled containers, on the other hand, undergo a process of recovery of the original materials which includes at least two phases among washing, crushing/shredding, heating/melting of the fragments, addition of chemical binders and/or new material, forming of the new container and cooling. This procedure is long, complex and uncomfortable, and requires a considerable consumption of energy and new materials.
Several optimized containers for consumer product are currently known. A first example of a known technical solution is the subject of the US patent application US2010106446A1, which describes a method for determining an attribute of a substance in a container, in response to an access event, and comprises the activation of a sensor in response to the occurrence of the event, with an output signal providing an indication of the attribute of the substance. The steps of the method relate to associate the sensor, with its identifier, to the container, and to send the identifier and a sensor output that provides an indication of the attribute of the content, for example the quantity, to a remote device. The indication of such quantity of the substance in the container is a measure of at least one variable among height, weight, mass and volume of the substance itself. A further example of a known solution is described by the US patent application US2008210702A1, which discloses an integrated system for the distribution of household or consumer products, which includes one or more containers of dispensable products, preferably disposable, providing elements sensitive to a state and connected to a processor. The system aims to increase the convenience, safety, effectiveness of use and supply of the product. It is possible to automatically and/or semi-automatically manage an inventory of users of one or more products, and to determine when it is necessary to replenish them. The system contemplates the further option of automatically and/or semi-automatically carrying out restocking transactions with e-commerce suppliers and/or carrying out related transactions with shippers and financial institutions, in order to provide a convenient replenishment of the product containers.
Finally, the US patent application US2015366411A1 describes a communication system for household appliances that provides consumers with the ability to remotely access information related to the same household appliances, in particular household appliances that use consumable resources which may need to be periodically replaced or replenished. The appliance communication system can periodically receive the aforementioned information, upon request or through alerts activated in response to certain events. As an example of a preferred embodiment, an electric soap dispenser comprises a housing, a power supply supported by the housing, a tank configured to store liquid soap supported by the housing, at least one sensor configured to detect the presence of liquid soap in the tank, an electronic control unit connected to the sensor and configured to activate it and to detect the presence of liquid soap in the tank and, in addition, a communication device connected to the electronic control unit and configured to transmit to a computer system, separate from the electric soap dispenser, the estimated quantity of liquid soap remaining inside the tank. However, the known optimized containers for consumer products suffer from some limitations, in addition to those previously mentioned, among which the fact that, in order to verify the quantities of products remaining inside them, a user needs at least a visual contact with the stored product. This means that the container is transparent and/or that the user opens it to visually check the quantity left. Furthermore, a visual contact is not always sufficient to estimate, with adequate accuracy, the quantity of product left to plan, if necessary, a restock of the same product.
The previously cited prior art documents, available in the patent literature, provide means for a partial, not particularly effective, resolution of the aforementioned issues. A further drawback is related to the fact that the user, in order to restock the customer products must generally go personally and physically to a resale, and transport, after purchase, the container with the product inside to his home or to the place of use. This aspect determines a significant inconvenience for the user who needs to move, even from afar, and a not negligible waste of time, with the aggravating circumstance that such movements, carried out by means of transport having combustion engines, cause considerable atmospheric pollution due to the exhaust fumes of these vehicles.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide an optimized container for a consumer product having a low environmental impact that can be easily and quickly reused, reducing landfill disposal and the need for recycling of materials, with consequent consumption of energy, new materials and waste of time, thus having characteristics so as to overcome the limitations that still affect the current optimized containers for consumer products, with reference to the known technique.
A further purpose of the present invention is to provide an optimized container for a consumer product that does not require the user to have a visual contact with the product itself in order to evaluate the remaining quantity, and that allows the same user to be informed in real time about the residual quantity/product depletion, without the need to verify it physically and personally, by using efficient and non-invasive sensors and electronics. A further purpose of the present invention is to provide an optimized container for a consumer product that does not force the user to have to move to supply of desired products, and that allows the user himself to order a supply easily and/or automatically. Another purpose of the present invention, as previously described, is to provide a device for transporting the optimized container as well as a method of use of the same optimized container, in order to reduce landfill disposal and/or atmospheric pollution.
Finally, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a container, a device for transporting the container and a method of use of the same container highly reliable, relatively easy to manufacture and that are inexpensive. According to the present invention, an optimized container for a consumer product is provided, as defined in claim 1.
According to the present invention, a device for transporting the optimized container for a consumer product is also provided, as defined in claim 7.
Finally, according to the present invention, a method of use of the optimized container for a consumer product is provided, as defined in claim 10.
For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is now described, purely by way of non limiting example, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
- figure 1 shows a front view of an optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention; - figures 2a and 2b show two different overall exploded views of the optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention;
- figure 3 shows a perspective view of three components of the optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention; figure 4 shows a front view of a device for transporting the optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention; - figure 5 shows an overall exploded view of the device for transporting the optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention;
- figure 6 shows an explanatory block diagram concerning a method of use of the optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention;
- figures 7a and 7b show, respectively, perspective views of a component of the optimized container for a consumer product, and of the same component coupled to a further component of the optimized container for a consumer product, according to the invention.
With reference to these figures and, in particular, to figure 2, an optimized container for a consumer product is shown, according to the invention. In particular, as better shown in Figure 1, the optimized container 10 for a consumer product comprises:
- a body 11 configured for containing said consumer product; - a lid 12 able to close the body 11;
- management means comprising at least one sensor 18 and data transmission means configured for transmitting data detected by said at least one sensor 18, with said management means configured for detecting the quantity of the product contained inside the optimized container 10 and, in addition, for managing the aforementioned detected quantity.
According to another aspect of the invention, the optimized container 10 is preferably suitable for containing food and/or detergents. According to an aspect of the invention, the body 11 has substantially the shape of a glass having over one or more walls 13 a window 14 made of an at least partially transparent material, to allow a visual contact with the product contained inside the optimized container 10. According to an aspect of the invention, the optimized container 10 comprises an interface element 15 interposed between the body 11 and the lid 12.
According to an aspect of the invention, the aforementioned interface element 15 is substantially annular and traces the internal profile of the body 11 in correspondence with one of its upper ends, when in use, and is inserted inside the same upper end 16 of the body 11, upper end 16 of the body 11 which, still in use, is the end closed by means of the lid 12.
According to an aspect of the invention, the interface element 15 is associated/fitted to the body 11, and the lid 12 is constrained/hinged to the same interface element 15 by means of a hinge element 50. According to another aspect of the invention, the lid
12, the body 11 and the interface element 15 that couples them are made, preferably, of plastic material, such as polypropylene or high-density HDPE polyethylene.
According to an aspect of the invention, in case the optimized container 10 is intended to contain food products, there may be a layer of food silicone and/or polylactic acid (PLA), at least in the area intended for contact with such products.
According to another aspect of the invention, the lid 12 and/or the base of the body 11 are coated with a layer of silicone or similar material.
According to an aspect of the invention, the optimized container 10 is made of washable materials that allow it to be reused, in the order of a thousand times. According to another aspect of the invention, the lid 12 has a substantially box-like shape and comprises a bottom 17, better shown in figure 3.
According to an aspect of the invention, the lid 12 contains the management means configured for detecting the quantity of the product contained inside the optimized container 10 and for managing the aforementioned detected quantity.
According to an aspect of the invention, the at least one sensor 18 is of the sonar type and/or a laser sensor and/or a capacitive sensor and/or a vision sensor.
According to an aspect of the invention, the lid 12 and encloses an electronic board 20 hermetically insulated from the outside. According to an aspect of the invention, over the aforementioned electronic board 20 are positioned, preferably welded:
- the at least one sensor 18; the data transmission means, preferably wireless means, not shown in the figures;
- a battery able to power the electronic board 20; a capacitive sensor 21 configured for enabling/activating the electronic board 20 to be switched on, following the closure of the lid 12 over the body 11; a plurality of electrical pins 22 able to be electrical connected to a power source external to the optimized container 10.
According to an aspect of the invention, the electrical pins 22 are protruding/accessible from a side wall 23 of the lid 12, for example the one bound to the interface element 15, as shown in figure 2a.
According to an aspect of the invention, the electronic board 20 comprises also a processing unit, for example a microcontroller unit, and a memory unit, preferably a flash memory unit, connected to said processing unit and able to temporarily store the data detected by the at least one sensor 18.
According to an aspect of the invention, the external power source is able to recharge the aforementioned battery.
According to another aspect of the invention, the sensors 18 are, preferably, two at least.
According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one sensor 18, when the optimized container 10 is closed, protrudes towards the inside of the body 11 from the bottom 17 of the lid 12, through an opening 19, as can be seen in figure 2a.
According to an aspect of the invention, the lid 12 comprises a LED 24 connected to the electronic board 20 and able to signal the various operating phases of the optimized container 10. In particular, the LED 24 is placed over a side wall of the lid 12, preferably over the same side wall 23 from which the electrical pins 22 protrude/are accessible, as shown in figure 2b.
According to an aspect of the invention, the optimized container 10 comprises a hinge element 50, previously mentioned, substantially 'L'-shaped.
According to an aspect of the invention, said hinge element 50 comprises a wing 51, that is a flat element, inserted in the lid 12 and integral with it, and a core 52, i.e., a further flat element, which can slide at least partially within a perimeter edge of the interface element 15, along a direction orthogonal to the direction of development of said perimeter edge.
According to an aspect of the invention, the sliding of the core 52, which can be moved by a distance in the order of 1 cm, within the perimeter edge of the interface element 15, allows the opening of the optimized container 10. According to an aspect of the invention, the core 52 is fixed, at an end the opposite to that from which the wing 51 extends, as shown in figure 7b, to a magnetic bar 25, sliding at the same time as the core 52 into a perimeter window 53 of the interface element 15. Said perimeter window 53 has a lower edge 54 and an upper edge 55, with the lower edge 54 comprising an area covered by a metallic layer 56 which interacts with the magnetic bar 25, according to a closed configuration of the optimized container 10, when the lid 12 closes the body 11.
According to an aspect of the invention, the upper edge 55 has a sliding opening 57, able to let the core 52 slide through it, having a section almost equal to the section of the core 52 and lower than that of the magnetic bar 25. The walls of this sliding opening 57 of the core 52 consist of the walls of a metallic annular element 58, which surrounds the core 52 of the hinge element 50.
According to another aspect of the invention, the wing 51 and the core 52 of the hinge element 50 are made of a plastic material, such as flexible rubber, inside which there are two separate passages/tracks for, respectively, a first and a second electrical wire, not shown in the figures.
According to another aspect of the invention, the hinge element 50 comprises: - a first electrical terminal 60a and a second electrical terminal 60b placed in correspondence with a free end of the wing 51 and connected/soldered to the electronic board 20; a third electrical terminal 61a and a fourth electrical terminal 61b placed respectively on two opposite side walls of the core 52 and able to be placed in correspondence with the metallic annular element 58 of the interface element 15 when the lid 12 is positioned so as to close the body 11.
According to another aspect of the invention, the aforementioned first wire connects the first electrical terminal 60a to the third electrical terminal 61a, while the second wire connects the second electrical terminal 60b to the fourth electrical terminal 61b.
In use, when the optimized container 10 according to the invention is opened, the lid 12 is lifted from the body 11, the core 52 slides upwards through the sliding opening 57 of the upper edge 55 of the perimeter window 53, and together with said core 52 also the magnetic bar 25 moves, causing a magnetic attraction with the metallic annular element 58. According to this opening configuration, therefore, the magnetic bar 25 is in contact with the metallic annular element 58, in this way determining a stable opening configuration of the optimized container 10, meaning with the terms "stable configuration" a configuration which, in order to be modified, requires the application of a force. In use, still, when the optimized container 10 according to the invention is closed, the lid 12 is lowered towards the body 11, the core 52 of the hinge element 50 slides downwards through the sliding opening 57 of the upper edge 55 of the perimeter window 53, and together with the core 52 also the magnetic bar 25 moves, causing a magnetic attraction with the metallic layer 56 of the lower edge 54 of the perimeter window 53. As a result of the previously described closed configuration, as shown in the figure 7b, the magnetic bar 25 is in contact with the metallic layer 56, determining a stable closing configuration of the optimized container 10. According to such stable closing configuration, the third and fourth electrical terminals 61a, 61b are both in contact with the metallic annular element 58, closing an electrical circuit, whose perimeter includes also the first and the second electrical wire, and the electronic board 20, powered by the battery following the activation of a magnetic sensor 21a, placed in the lid 12 in correspondence with a side wall opposite to the side wall 23, as shown in figure 3, also configured for a self-power on of the electronic board 20 itself. Such an activation of the electronic board 20 by means of the magnetic sensor 21a, alternative to the one implemented by means of the capacitive sensor 21, triggers the operations of detecting the quantity of product inside the optimized container 10 and transmitting the detected data. After a time interval in the order of about ten seconds, the circuit switches off, so that the energy consumption of the electronic board 20 is limited. According to another aspect of the invention, the interface element 15 has a plurality, preferably three, of magnetic contacts 21b, shown in figure 3 and placed in correspondence with a perimeter edge opposite the perimeter edge on which the perimeter window 53 is obtained, able to implement the aforementioned activation/excitation of the magnetic sensor 21a, included in the lid 12, in the closing configuration, thus avoiding an accidental opening of the optimized container 10 and improving the closing operation itself. Advantageously according to the invention, the presence of the interface element 15, interposed between the body 11 and the lid 12, simplifies the maintainability of the optimized container 10, also reducing its environmental impact, allowing, for example, to disassemble said body 11 and lid 12 applying a force greater than the force applied to put said optimized container 10 in the aforementioned opening configuration. Such a possibility, to disassemble the optimized container 10 in order to repair or substitute only one between the lid 12 and the body 11, overcome the limitations of the known containers, often made of a single part and dismissed when damaged.
Advantageously according to the invention, the substitution of the body 11 only, when not fixable or come to the end of its life cycle, allowed by the two-part design thanks to the interface element 15, ensures to keep using the lid 12 and the electronics enclosed into it, still reducing the environmental impact of the optimized container 10. As previously said, the present invention also relates to a device 30, with reference to figures 4 and 5, configured for transporting one or more optimized containers 10.
According to an aspect of the invention, the device 30 for transporting at least one optimized container 10 comprises a structure 32 that includes at least one housing 33 able to house at least one optimized container 10, with the same housing 33 having the profile of said optimized container 10, and a handle 31 fixed to the structure 32.
According to an aspect of the invention, the structure 32 comprises a base 34, a first side wall 35a and a second side wall 35b, both side walls being 'L'-shaped, orthogonal to the base 34 and placed in correspondence with respective opposite ends of the base 34. According to an aspect of the invention, to each of the aforementioned side walls 35a, 35b is fixed a corresponding end of the handle 31.
According to an aspect of the invention, the structure 32 comprises also a functional wall 36, comprised between the side walls 35a, 35b and orthogonal to said side walls
35a, 35b and to the base 34.
According to another aspect of the invention, the structure 32 comprises an electrical power supply port 39, for example a micro-USB port.
According to an aspect of the invention, the functional wall 36 comprises, in correspondence with each housing 33, a magnetic terminal 37, connected to the electrical power supply port 39 by means of an electrical connection 40, comprising further electrical pins able to electrically couple with the corresponding electric pins 22 of a corresponding optimized container 10, in order to recharge the corresponding battery of each electronic board 20.
According to an aspect of the invention, also the electrical pins 22 of the optimized container 10 are included into a corresponding magnetic terminal, not shown in the figures. According to an aspect of the invention, each magnetic terminal 37 is enclosed within a case 38, from which only the respective electrical pins are accessible.
According to an aspect of the invention, it is possible to connect the device 30 to an electrical power supply grid, not shown in the figures, by means of the electrical power supply port 39, so as to power, through each magnetic terminal 37 of the structure 32, the batteries of all the optimized containers 10 housed into the device 30 and electrically connected to the structure 32, through the electrical connection between the electrical pins 22 of each optimized container 10 and those of a corresponding magnetic terminal 37.
According to an aspect of the invention, the base 34 of the structure 32 has a lowered portion 41, visible in figure 5, extending for substantially an entire area comprised between the two side walls 35a and 35b, able to house a clamp, not shown in the figures, useful for anchoring several optimized containers 10 stacked in the device 30. According to another aspect of the invention, the device
30 is made of plastic, preferably recycled, and/or a metallic material, and both the optimized container 10 and the device 30 may have colors and decorations according to the preferences of a user. Figure 6 relates, as mentioned, to an explanatory block diagram of a method of use of the optimized container 10 for a consumer product, method representing a further object of the present invention. In particular, according to an aspect of the invention, the method of use of the optimized container 10 is based on a platform, e.g., a computer platform, that uses a web server 100, and comprises:
- a step of saving data to the web server 100, data that are saved in real time and relates to at least one optimized container 10, and/or to at least one user 101 and/or to at least one product 102 contained inside said at least one optimized container 10;
- a step during which the at least one user 101 sends identification data concerning himself to the web server 100 by registering on said platform, by means of a user interface 103, and/or creates a user profile concerning himself, with the same user profile being password-protected;
- a step of sending the data related to the quantity of said at least one product 102 from said at least one optimized container 10, each time said at least one optimized container 10 is opened and then closed, to the web server 100, with said web server 100 which sends the data concerning the quantity of said at least one product 102 to a manufacturing company 104 and/or to said user interface 103 of said at least one user 101.
According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one user 101, by means of the user interface 103, buys at least one product 102 and/or buys again at least one product 102 and/or schedules periodic orders concerning the at least one product 102.
According to another aspect of the invention, a unique code 105 is associated with the at least one optimized container 10, and the web server 100 stores and controls the data related to at least one optimized container 10, with reference to the corresponding unique code 105, in each step of the life cycle of the same optimized container 10.
According to another aspect of the invention, such data concerning each optimized container 10, with reference to the corresponding unique code 105 and in each step of the life cycle of the same optimized container 10, consist of the production, each use of the optimized container 10, the acquisition made by the manufacturing company 104 of the product 102, the filling, the transportation to the place of storage and/or the place of use, the storage, the consumption of the product 102 contained in the optimized container 10, each washing, disposal/end of life of the optimized container 10. According to an aspect of the invention, the user interface 103 is preferably a specific app for smartphones and/or tablets.
According to another aspect of the invention, the products 102 purchased, purchased again or ordered periodically by users 101 are delivered, packaged into one or more optimized containers 10 directly to the house of the user 101 and/or to a place indicated by the user 101 when purchasing/ordering, and/or at a collecting point chosen by the user 101 among pre-established points.
According to another aspect of the invention, the optimized containers 10, having the products 102 inside, are transported into one or more devices 30. Once the place of use has been reached, each optimized container 10 communicates, thanks to its data transmission means through, preferably, a router of the user 101, with the web server 100 about the successful delivery. Whenever the optimized container 10 is opened and then closed, returning the lid 12 to the closing configuration, the capacitive sensor 21 or the magnetic sensor 21a activates the electronic board 20.
During this step, the sensors 18 perform a measurement of the data concerning the product 101 still inside the corresponding optimized container 10, data that are then sent to the web server 100 through the data transmission means onboard the corresponding electronic board 20. The web server 100, as anticipated, finally sends the aforementioned data to the manufacturing company 104 and to the user 101 who uses them, by means of the user interface 103, having the possibility of knowing always in real time the quantity of product 102 present in the optimized containers 10, without the need for a visual contact with them. At each new delivery, the empty optimized containers 10 are picked up and replaced with optimized containers 10 full of product 102, and are transported to the manufacturing company 104 which washes said empty optimized containers 10, checks and fills them again, ready for a new order. In this way, the optimized container 10 is reused, at the same time reducing both landfill disposal and the recycling of the optimized container 10 itself.
Therefore, the optimized container for a consumer product according to the invention allows the user to avoid a visual contact with the product in order to evaluate its remaining quantity, and ensures the same user to be informed in real time about the residual quantity and the exhaustion of product without the need for a direct checking.
Another advantage of the optimized container for a consumer product according to the invention is that it avoids the user to move to get supplies and allows the same user to order a restock easily and/or automatically, reducing at the same time the air pollution caused by its possible displacement.
Another advantage of the optimized container for a consumer product according to the invention is that it is simple to use and requires an easy and low maintenance.
A further advantage of the optimized container for a consumer product and of the device for transporting according to the invention is that they are inexpensive. A further advantage of the optimized container for a consumer product according to the invention is that it can be reused easily and quickly, and reduces landfill disposal and the need for material recycling, avoiding the consumption of energy and new materials, as well as waste of time. Furthermore, the optimized container for a consumer product and the device for transporting according to the invention consider the use of materials with a reduced environmental impact.
Finally, the optimized container for a consumer product and the related device for transporting according to the invention are of reduced complexity, with reference to mass production.
It is finally clear that the optimized container for consumer products, the device for transporting and the method of use of the aforesaid optimized container, described and illustrated herein, can be subject to modifications and variations without departing from the protective scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Optimized container (10) for a consumer product, comprising:
- a body (11) configured for containing said consumer product;
- a lid (12) able to close the body (11);
- management means comprising at least one sensor (18) and data transmission means configured for transmitting data detected by said at least one sensor (18), said management means being able to detect the quantity of the product contained inside the optimized container (10) and to manage said detected quantity;
- an electronic board (20), hermetically insulated from the outside; characterized in that the at least one sensor (18) is of the sonar type and/or a laser sensor and/or a capacitive sensor and/or a vision sensor, and in that said lid (12) has a substantially box-like shape and encloses the electronic board (20), over said electronic board (20) being placed: - the at least one sensor (18);
- the data transmission means;
- a battery able to power said electronic board (20);
- a capacitive sensor (21); a plurality of electrical pins (22), protruding/accessible from a side wall (23) of the lid (12), able to be electrically connected to a power source, said power source being external to the optimized container (10) and able to recharge the battery.
2. Optimized container (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that said optimized container (10) is made of washable materials, and in that the body (11) has substantially the shape of a glass and comprises a window (14) over at least one wall (13).
3. Optimized container (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data transmission means are wireless means, and in that the lid (12) comprises a LED (24), connected to the electronic board (20), and a bottom (17), from said bottom (17) being protruding, through an opening (19) and towards the inside of said body (11), when the optimized container (10) is closed, the at least one sensor (18).
4. Optimized container (10) according to claim 1, characterized in comprising an interface element (15) interposed between the body (11) and the lid (12), said interface element (15) being substantially annular and tracing the internal profile of the body (11) in correspondence with an upper end (16) of said body (11), and being inserted inside said upper end (16).
5. Optimized container (10) according to claim 4, characterized in comprising a hinge element (50) substantially 'L'-shaped, said hinge element (50) comprising: a wing (51) inserted in the lid (12) and integral with said lid (12); and a core (52) sliding at least partially into an sliding opening (57) of a perimeter edge of the interface element (15) along a direction orthogonal to the direction of development of said perimeter edge, the walls of said sliding opening (57) consisting of the walls of a metallic annular element (58) which surrounds the core (52).
6. Optimized container (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the hinge element (50) comprises: a first electrical terminal (60a) and a second electrical terminal (60b) placed in correspondence with a free end of the wing (51) and connected/soldered to the electronic board (20); - a third electrical terminal (61a) and a fourth electrical terminal (61b) placed respectively on two opposite side walls of the core (52) and able to be placed in correspondence with the metallic annular element (58) of the interface element (15) when the lid (12) is positioned so as to close the body (11); and in comprising two internal passages for a first and a second electrical wire, said first wire connecting the first electrical terminal (60a) to the third electrical terminal (61a), said second wire connecting the second electrical terminal (60b) to the fourth electrical terminal (61b).
7. Device (30) for transporting at least one optimized container (10) according to one of the previous claims, characterized in comprising:
- a structure (32) comprising at least one housing (33) able to house at least one optimized container (10), said at least one housing (33) having the profile of said at least one optimized container (10);
- a handle (31) fixed to the structure (32).
8. Device (30) according to claim 7, characterized in that the structure (32) comprises:
- a base (34); - a first side wall (35a) and a second side wall (35b) both 'L'-shaped, each of them being perpendicular to the base (34) and placed in correspondence with respective opposite ends of said base (34), to each of said side walls (35a, 35b) being fixed a corresponding end of the handle
(31);
- a functional wall (36) comprised between the side walls (35a, 35b) and orthogonal to said side walls (35a, 35b) and to the base (34);
- an electrical power supply port (39).
9. Device (30) according to claim 8, characterized in that said functional wall (36) comprises, in correspondence with said at least one housing (33), a magnetic terminal (37) connected to the electrical power supply port (39) by means of an electrical connection (40), said magnetic terminal (37) comprising further electrical pins able to electrically couple with the corresponding electrical pins (22) of the optimized container (10). 10. Method of use of the optimized container (10) according to one of the previous claims, said method of use being based upon a platform using a web server (100) and comprising:
- a step of saving data to the web server (100), said data being saved in real time and related to at least one optimized container (10), and/or to at least one user (101) and/or to at least one product (102) contained inside said at least one optimized container (10); - a step during which the at least one user (101) sends identification data concerning himself to the web server (100) by registering on said platform, by means of a user interface (103), and/or creates a user profile concerning himself, said user profile being password-protected; characterized in comprising a step of sending the data related to the quantity of said at least one product (102) from said at least one optimized container (10), each time said at least one optimized container (10) is opened and then closed, to the web server (100), said web server (100) sending said data concerning the quantity of said at least one product (102) to a manufacturing company (104) and/or to said user interface (103) of said at least one user (101). 11. Method of use of the optimized container (10) according to claim 10, characterized in thatthe at least one user (101), by means of the user interface (103), buys at least one product (102) and/or buys again the at least one product (102) and/or schedules periodic orders concerning the at least one product (102). 12. Method of use of the optimized container (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that with the at least one optimized container (10) is associated a unique code (105), and in that said web server (100) stores and controls the data related to at least one optimized container (10), with reference to the corresponding unique code (105), during each step of the life cycle of said at least one optimized container (10).
PCT/IB2021/052723 2020-04-02 2021-04-01 Optimized container for a consumer product WO2021198970A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102020000006928 2020-04-02
IT102020000006928A IT202000006928A1 (en) 2020-04-02 2020-04-02 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
IT202100007439 2021-03-26
IT102021000007439 2021-03-26

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US20080210702A1 (en) 2004-06-21 2008-09-04 Alexander Lochinger Integrated Product Inventory and Dispensing System, and Personal Dental Care Unit Having Disposable Containers with State-Sensitive Elements
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US20150366411A1 (en) 2014-06-18 2015-12-24 Simplehuman, Llc Domestic appliance communication system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080210702A1 (en) 2004-06-21 2008-09-04 Alexander Lochinger Integrated Product Inventory and Dispensing System, and Personal Dental Care Unit Having Disposable Containers with State-Sensitive Elements
US20100106446A1 (en) 2008-10-23 2010-04-29 Whirlpool Corporation Attribute sensing processes
US20150366411A1 (en) 2014-06-18 2015-12-24 Simplehuman, Llc Domestic appliance communication system

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