DEVICE FOR ASSISTING USER IN CONSUMPTION OF A SUBSTANCE AT A CORRECT TIME INTERVAL

• US 20130242707A1
• Filed: 03/14/2012
• Published: 09/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tom Kodat
• Original Assignee: Tom Kodat
• Inventors: KODAT, TOM
• Granted Patent: US 9,588,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/10
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 23/04 Housings, supports, shielding, or similar stationary parts
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 23/08 Programming means
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 23/50 with provision for modification of the interval(s) by external influences
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/006 for operating at a number of different times cigar or cigarette receptacles or boxes with means for limiting the frequency of smoking A24F15/005

Abstract

The present invention provides a lid in combination with a hollow container for receiving a substance through an open end thereof. The lid comprises a body, a device for assisting a user in consumption of a substance at a correct time interval, and an arrangement for securing the body on the open side of the container in a semi-permanent manner. The body defines a substantially planar exterior surface disposed normal to a length of the container when the body is attached to the open end of the container. Additionally, the body defines a peripheral flange depending from the exterior surface. The peripheral flange defines a generally hollow interior of the body. The device for assisting the user in consumption of the substance at a correct time interval is operable and viewable from the exterior surface.

Claims

1. In combination with a hollow container for receiving a substance through an open end thereof, a device comprising:

(a) a body defining an exterior surface disposed generally normal to a length or height of said container when said body is attached to said open end thereof or disposed generally parallel to the length or height of the container when said body is disposed on an exterior surface of the container; and

(b) means at least one of operable and viewable from said exterior surface for assisting user in consumption of said substance at at least one preselected time interval.

2. The combination of claim 1, wherein said means for assisting the user includes:

(a) a printed circuit board disposed within said hollow interior of said body;

(b) a display operatively mounted on said printed circuit board and viewable from said exterior surface;

(c) a first switch operatively mounted on said printed circuit board and operable from said exterior surface;

(d) an annunciation means operatively mounted on said printed circuit board and having a port defined on said exterior top surface so as to emit at least one of an audible and visual signal external to said body, said at least one of an audible and visual signal configured to alert a user of said container;

(e) a second switch operatively mounted on said printed circuit board and operable from said exterior top surface;

(f) a third switch mounted within said hollow interior and configured to sense absence of a portion of said container and deactivate said annunciation means;

(g) a controller mounted on said printed circuit board in operative connection with each of said display, user interface, audible annunciation means, second switch, third switch, and said timer;

(h) a timer responsive to a user programmable trigger to activate said annunciation means;

(i) a power source mounted within said generally hollow interior and configured to supply electric power to at least said controller;

(j) wherein said timer is configured to reset upon operation of said third switch to sense said absence of said portion of said container;

(k) wherein said user interface is so configured that said user programs said trigger; and

(l) wherein said display displays at least one of a remaining time to a next access to said substance disposed within said hollow container and a time elapsed since last access to said substance.

3. The combination of claim 2, further including means connected to said controller for transmitting at least one signal in a wireless manner.

4. The combination of claim 3, further including another device disposed in a location remote from said device and responsive to said at least one wireless signal to emit light or audio.

5. The combination, according to claim 2, wherein said device further includes means for recharging said power source.

6. The combination, according to claim 5, wherein said means for recharging further includes a charging unit having one end thereof received within said port and having an opposite end thereof configured for connection to an electrical plug.

7. The combination, according to claim 5, wherein said means for recharging includes a charging circuit connected to said power source and at least one contact accessible from an exterior surface of said body.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein said at least one contact is at least a pair of contacts disposed flush with a predetermined portion of said exterior surface or extending past thereof and wherein said means for recharging further includes a charging device configured to receive said body therewithin and operatively mate with said at least a pair of contacts.

9. The combination, according to claim 8, wherein said at least one contact is a charging port disposed within said body in operative communication with said charging circuit.

10. The combination, according to claim 5, wherein said means for recharging includes a solar cell disposed on said exterior surface and configured to convert a solar energy into an electric energy.

11. The combination, according to claim 5, wherein said means for recharging includes a base, at least one guide rail and a pair of elongated jaws, at least one of said pair of jaws having one end thereof adapted for a sliding motion on said at least one guide, wherein opposite ends thereof of said pair of jaws are sized and shaped to securely retain said device to be charged in a semi permanent manner.

12. The combination of claim 1, further including means for securing said body on said open end of said container in a semi-permanent manner.

13. The combination, according to claim 12, wherein said means for securing said body on said open end of said container includes a thread disposed on an interior surface of said body.

14. The combination, according to claim 12, wherein said means for securing said body on said open end of said container includes a friction fit between an exterior surface of said peripheral flange and interior surface of said open end of said container.

15. In combination with a hollow container for receiving a substance through an open end thereof, a device consisting of:

(a) a body defining each of a substantially planar exterior top surface disposed normal to a length or height of said container when said body is attached to said open end thereof, a peripheral side surface depending from said exterior top surface, and a generally hollow interior;

(b) means for securing said body on said open end of said container in a semi-permanent manner;

(c) means at least one of operable and viewable from said exterior top surface for assisting user in consumption of said substance at correct time intervals, said consumption assisting means consisting of;

i. a printed circuit board disposed within said hollow interior of said body,

ii. a display operatively mounted on said printed circuit board and viewable from said exterior top surface,

iii. a user interface operatively mounted on said printed circuit board and operable from said exterior top surface,

iv. an annunciation means operatively mounted on said printed circuit board and having a port defined on said exterior top surface so as to emit at least one of an audible and visual signal external to said body, said at least one of an audible and visual signal configured to alert a user of said container,

v. a second switch operatively mounted on said printed circuit board and operable from said exterior surface,

vi. a third switch mounted within said hollow interior and configured to sense absence of a portion of said container and deactivate said annunciation means,

vii. a controller mounted on said printed circuit board in operative connection with each of said display, user interface, audible annunciation means, second switch, and third switch,

viii. a timer operatively coupled to said third switch, said timer is responsive to a user programmable trigger to activate said annunciation means, wherein said timer resides within said controller,

ix. a power source mounted within said hollow interior and configured to supply power to at least said controller, and

x. means for recharging said power source; and

(d) wherein said timer is configured to reset upon operation of said third switch to sense said absence of said portion of said container;

(e) wherein said user interface is so configured that said user programs said trigger; and

(f) wherein said display displays at least one of a remaining time to a next access to said substance disposed within said hollow container and a time elapsed since last access to said substance.

16. A substance consumption or location notification system, comprising:

a) a hollow container for receiving a substance through an open end thereof;

b) a member sized and shaped to cover said open end of said container; and

c) means at least one of operable and viewable from an exterior surface of said member or said container for assisting user in consumption or location of said substance at at least one preselected time interval.

17. The system of claim 16, further including a secondary means in a bidirectional communication with said substance consumption means for at least one of programming said substance consumption means, communicating an alert to a user to consume the substance at said at least one preselected time interval and verifying a correct user attempting to consume the substance.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein said secondary means is configured to charge said substance consumption means.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein said substance consumption means is configured to communicate an alert to a user to consume the substance at said at least one preselected time interval.

20. A charging unit comprising:

(a) a base;

(b) at least one guide rail; and

(c) a pair of elongated jaws, at least one of said pair of jaws having one end thereof adapted for a sliding motion on said at least one guide, wherein opposite ends thereof of said pair of jaws are sized and shaped to securely retain a device to be charged in a releasable manner.