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,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 first sensor either is positioned in the interior lid compartment or is physically attached to the lid.
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Accused Products
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.
172 Citations
36 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, 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 first sensor either is positioned in the interior lid compartment or is physically attached to the lid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. 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 and a lid support element, 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 a first sensor to be exposed directly or indirectly to the contents of the retainer while simultaneously being supported by the lid support element; a 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 (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An improved container management system including a retainer and a lid having a lid opening configured as a drink aperture, comprising:
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a processor; a system memory in communication with the processor via a communication infrastructure and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; receive detected information obtained by a sensor about the lid, the retainer, or contents of the retainer; and activate an action element in response to the detected information, wherein said action element is an open/close lid opening assembly configured to block or unblock said drink aperture in response to receiving certain detected information. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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35. 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, 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. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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Specification