Combination of dispenser and container for a plurality of containers, having a system for the correct placing

• US 9,751,745 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2014
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blupura SRL (Culligan International Company)
• Original Assignee: Blupura SRL (Culligan International Company)
• Inventors: Grottini, Gianni
• Primary Examiner(s): Durand, Paul R
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gruby, Randall
• Application Number:
  US14/763,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20160194192A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2303/00 Orienting or positioning means for containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0801 of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0888 Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 1/0894 for the vessel to be filled
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0811 provided with coded information
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2001/0812 Bottles, cartridges or similar containers
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 2210/00031 Housing
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0006 responsive to coded information provided on the neck or spout of the storage container, e.g. bar-code, magnets or transponder

Abstract

The object of the present invention is the combination between a dispenser (1) for dispensing beverages and at least a case (5.0) of a plurality of containers (5′) intended to be used in the drawing station (2) of said dispenser (1). Said dispenser (1) and case (5.0) are provided each with a centring element (4, 6) having reciprocal shape, the coupling thereof enables the positioning of said case (5.0) inside the compartment (3) of the drawing station (2) of said dispenser (1), in such a way that the mouths (5.2′) of said plurality of containers (5′) of said case (5.0) are vertically aligned with the overlying plurality of openings or spouts (3.3) for dispensing the beverages. The reciprocal coupling between said centring elements (4, 6) further activates a wireless communication system for the exchange of data between said case (5.0) of a plurality of containers (5′) and said dispenser (1).

Claims

1. Combination of a dispenser for dispensing beverages with a case having a plurality of containers disposed therein, each container having a mouth, and said case having a centering element,

said dispenser comprising:

a containment structure and at least one drawing station, having;

a compartment disposed within said structure, adapted to the placement of said case,

a base for supporting said case,

a plurality of openings or spouts for dispensing beverages, overlying said base,

at least one dispenser centering element reciprocal of the case centering element,

wherein reciprocal coupling between said centering elements enables the positioning of said case in said compartment such that said mouth of each of said plurality of containers is vertically aligned with at least one of said overlyving openings or spouts for dispensing the beverages,

wherein said reciprocal coupling activates a communication system for the exchange of data between said case and said dispenser, said communication system comprising;

a reader located in said dispenser centering element,

a microchip provided with non-volatile memory for the storage of said data,

an antenna disposed in said dispenser centering element adapted to receive signals from said microchip and transfer said signals to said reader,

an information system for the management of data exchanged between said reader and microchip,

said communication system performing the exchange of data responsive to said reciprocal coupling.

2. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said reciprocal coupling comprises insertion of one reciprocating element into the corresponding reciprocating element.

3. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 2, wherein, said case centering element comprises a projecting pin adapted to engage in said dispenser centering element, and wherein said dispenser centering element comprises a cavity.

4. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 2, wherein said case centering element comprises a cavity adapted to engage with said dispenser centering element, and wherein said dispenser centering element comprises a projecting pin.

5. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said reciprocal coupling between said centering elements comprises contact positioning.

6. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 5, wherein

said case centering element is disposed on the surface of the rear or lateral side of said case and is adapted to couple with said dispenser centering element, said dispenser centering element comprising a pin projecting from the rear and lateral wall of said compartment respectively.

7. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein

said case comprises a transparent surface, disposed such that at least a portion of said case centering element is visible therethrough,

said dispenser centering element having at least one light source, operable in response, and subsequent to, said reciprocal coupling, such that light emanating from said light source being visible through said transparent portion,

whereby the light source is indicative of at least one condition selected from a group consisting of correct coupling taken place, operating steps of said dispenser, operating steps of said communication system, and any combination thereof.

8. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 7, wherein said portion of transparent surface extends up to the front side of said case.

9. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said microchip is fixed by co-moulding or gluing to said case centering element.

10. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said antenna is integrated to said case centering element.

11. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said microchip consists of an integrated circuit or an RFID or NFC label.

12. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said microchip comprises a label operating at 13.56 MHz, said microchip being calibrated to communicate with said reader only at a distance of between 0-2 cm.

13. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor or mechanical element disposed in the dispenser centering element, the case centering element or in a combination thereof, the sensors of mechanical elements being adapted to verify the occurrence of reciprocal coupling and subsequently to authorizer the activation of said communication system.

14. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said communication system further comprising a CPU and a monitor integrated to said dispenser.

15. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, further comprising an Internet data link.

16. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein the data being exchanged comprises of at least one information item selected from a list consisting of case user information, case information, container information for at least one of said plurality of containers, container owner information of at least one of said plurality of containers, credit balance associated with said case, credit balance associated with at least one said plurality of containers, beverage type preference, beverage quantity preference, personal activity of the user of at least one of said plurality of containers, or any combination thereof.

17. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 15 wherein the communications system is farther configured to deliver at least one service of an informational nature, a functional nature, or a combination thereof, responsive to the information of said exchanged data.

18. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 16, wherein said data or a portion thereof is storable in said microchip, either at the time of the first purchase or collection of said container, or at the time of the first use of said container with said dispenser.

19. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to the claim 17, wherein said data stored in said microchip are wholly or partially editable and can be overwritten via a portable reader, via said dispenser, or individually by both a portable reader and the dispenser.

20. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said antenna is further adapted to receive signals from said reader and transfer said signal to said microchip.

21. Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said microchip is disposed in said case centering element.