System and methods for managing a container or its contents
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A container management system, comprising:
- a lid configured to removably connect to a retainer, the lid including;
a lid shell element having a dispensing aperture, anda lid support element having a lid support opening,each of which are configured to be securable together using securement elements;
an interior lid compartment formed between the lid shell element and the lid support element when the lid shell element and the lid support element are secured together;
internal computer elements, including at least a processor and system memory, positioned in the interior lid compartment;
a first sensor to;
detect information about the lid, the retainer, or contents of the retainer;
and communicate with at least one of the computer elements, wherein the lid support element supports the first sensor; and
,the retainer defines a retainer space configured to receive a beverage;
wherein at least some portion of the lid support element is sized and shaped to extend into the retainer space when the lid is removably connected to the retainer, thereby permitting the first sensor to be exposed directly or indirectly to the contents of the retainer while simultaneously being supported by the lid support element.
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Abstract
Certain embodiments of the present invention include a retainer, a lid, and a sensor, where the sensor is configured to detect information about the retainer, the lid, or the contents in the retainer. The sensor also may be configured to communicate with an internal or external computer system, thereby facilitating showing the detected information as a representation via a display element. In certain embodiments, the system may include an action element such as an open/close lid opening assembly configured to permit automatically or manually opening or closing a drink aperture or another type of dispensing aperture.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A container management system, comprising:
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a lid configured to removably connect to a retainer, the lid including; a lid shell element having a dispensing aperture, and a lid support element having a lid support opening, each of which are configured to be securable together using securement elements; an interior lid compartment formed between the lid shell element and the lid support element when the lid shell element and the lid support element are secured together; internal computer elements, including at least a processor and system memory, positioned in the interior lid compartment; a first sensor to; detect information about the lid, the retainer, or contents of the retainer; and communicate with at least one of the computer elements, wherein the lid support element supports the first sensor; and
,the retainer defines a retainer space configured to receive a beverage; wherein at least some portion of the lid support element is sized and shaped to extend into the retainer space when the lid is removably connected to the retainer, thereby permitting the first sensor to be exposed directly or indirectly to the contents of the retainer while simultaneously being supported by the lid support element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A container management system, comprising:
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a lid configured to removably connect to a retainer, the lid including; a lid shell element having a dispensing aperture, and a lid support element, each of which are configured to be securable together using securement elements; an interior lid compartment formed between the lid shell element and the lid support element when the lid shell element and the lid support element are secured together; internal computer elements, including at least a processor and system memory, positioned in the interior lid compartment; and a first sensor to; detect information about the lid, the retainer, or contents of the retainer; and communicate with at least one of the computer elements, wherein the lid support element supports the first sensor;
wherein the lid support element includes an inner frame element and an outer frame element; and
, wherein the outer frame element includes a generally disc-shaped upper outer frame element and a lower outer frame element configured to extend almost to a bottom or to a bottom of a retainer space. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. An advanced container management system, comprising:
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a lid configured to removably connect to a retainer defining a retainer space, the lid including a dispensing aperture, internal computer elements, and a lid support element, the lid support element includes an inner frame element and an outer frame element; and
, wherein the outer frame element includes a generally disc-shaped upper outer frame element and a lower outer frame element, the outer frame element generally surrounding at least part of the inner frame element, the inner frame element supporting a portion of the internal computer elements, the lower outer frame element is sized and shaped to extend into the retainer space when the lid is removably connected to the retainer, thereby permitting a first sensor to be exposed directly or indirectly to the contents of the retainer while simultaneously being supported by the lid support element;the first sensor to detect information about the lid, the retainer, or contents of the retainer and configured to communicate with an external computer system, wherein the first sensor is positioned in the lid support element. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. An upgraded container management system, comprising:
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a lid having a dispensing aperture, wherein the lid is configured to removably connect to a retainer, the retainer defines a retainer space configured to receive a beverage, the lid having a lid support element having a lid support opening, a sensor to detect information about the lid, the retainer, or contents of the retainer and configured to communicate with one or more internal computer elements; the one or more internal computer elements, including at least a processor, positioned in a compartment within the lid or a compartment within the retainer and configured to communicate with the sensor and with an application software executed by the processor or an external computer system; wherein at least some portion of the lid support element is sized and shaped to extend into the retainer space when the lid is removably connected to the retainer, thereby permitting the first sensor to be exposed directly or indirectly to the contents of the retainer while simultaneously being supported by the lid support element. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification