APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF PROVIDING A LIQUID LEVEL MONITOR

• US 20180321072A1
• Filed: 05/03/2018
• Published: 11/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nypro Incorporated (Jabil Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nypro Incorporated (Jabil Inc.)
• Inventors: Williams, Amanda, Oropeza, Julio Danel, Lee, Yu-Chang, Lee, Ying Hao, Johnson, Martin, Theeuwes, Marc, Vaes, Stefan, Diels, Toon
• Granted Patent: US 11,280,042 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4418 in the form of liquids A47L15/4409, A47L15/4436, A47L15/4445 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4463 Multi-dose dispensing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/449 Metering controlling devices A47L15/4229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/30 Variation of electrical, magnetical or optical quantities
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/00 Arrangement in connection with fuel supply of combustion engines or other fuel consuming energy converters, e.g. fuel cells; Mounting or construction of fuel tanks tanks in general B65D, F17C; supplying combustion engines with combustible mixtures or constituents F02M
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/24 combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/248 the closure being provided with transient audible or visual signaling means, e.g. for indicating dispensing, or other illuminating or acoustic devices, e.g. whistles B65D55/026, B65D55/028 take precedence; for indicating incorrect storage B65D79/02
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/00 Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents dispensing means incorporated in removable or non-permanently secured container closures B65D47/00; for shops, stores, offices, bars, or the like A47F1/04; showcases or show cabinets with dispensing arrangements A47F3/02; magazines for screws or nuts in combination with spanners, wrenches or screwdrivers B25B23/06; for use in connection with the handling of sheets, webs, or filamentary material B65H
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0035 the bottle or container being held upside down and not provided with a closure, e.g. a bottle screwed onto a base of a dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0077 Electronic circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0093 Level indicators
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/60 Audible signals
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/37 of metering of detergents or additives
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 39/022 in a liquid state D06F39/024 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/00 Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/0007 for discrete indicating and measuring G01F23/02 - G01F23/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level

Abstract

The embodiments are and include an apparatus, system and method for a liquid level monitoring dispenser for association with a liquid filled consumable. The apparatus, system and method may include: a receiver for receiving the consumable upon inversion thereof; at least one electrical contact within the receiver for communicative association with conductive strips on the consumable; a sensing module communicative with the at least one electrical contact and having associated therewith firmware for converting signals associated with the conductive strips and received at the electrical contact to an indication of the liquid level; a communications module for communicating the liquid level to at least a user display and over at least one network; a power module for powering at least the sensing module and the communications module; and at least one dispensing output in fluid communication with the consumable and capable of dispensing the liquid from the consumable to modify the liquid level.

Claims

1. A liquid level monitoring dispenser for association with a liquid filled consumable, comprising:

a receiver for receiving the consumable upon inversion thereof;

at least one electrical contact within the receiver for communicative association with conductive strips on the consumable;

a sensing module communicative with the at least one electrical contact and having associated therewith firmware for converting signals associated with the conductive strips and received at the electrical contact to an indication of the liquid level;

a communications module for communicating the liquid level to at least a user display and over at least one network;

a power module for powering at least the sensing module and the communications module; and

at least one dispensing output in fluid communication with the consumable and capable of dispensing the liquid from the consumable to modify the liquid level.

2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a leak seal.

3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the leak seal comprises an o-ring.

4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the receiver is cone-shaped and the consumer is a bottle.

5. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the liquid level is additionally communicated to a consumable provider by the communications module.

6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein, upon a predetermined level of the liquid level, the consumable provider provides an automatic replenishment of the liquid.

7. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an app integrated to the communications module.

8. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the at least one dispensing output comprises a spigot.

9. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the conductive strips comprise a label for the consumable.

10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the conductive strips are printed.

11. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the conductive strips comprise one or more tabs for electrical association with the at least one electrical contact.

12. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical adjustment to snug the consumable to the receiver,

13. The dispenser of claim 12, wherein the mechanical adjustment is spring-loaded.

14. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the conductive strips comprise capacitive sensors.

15. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the sensor module comprises a sensor printed circuit board.

16. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a liquid level indicator.

17. The dispenser of claim 16, wherein the liquid level indicator comprises LED lights.

18. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a dosage indicator.

19. The dispenser of claim 18, wherein the dosage indicator comprises LED lights.

20. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the power module comprises at least one battery.