Smart container with illumination source

Abstract

A smart container capable of illuminating, mixing, blending, warming and dispensing media comprising glow-in-the-dark substances, cosmetics, masks, scrubs, lotions and oils to be applied to the body, the control of which is accomplished either by the container, or a smart device such as a phone, tablet, computer or smart watch. Either of the smart device or container being capable of independently recording video, audio, still photos and full capability live streaming of the use of said media or controlling the other to perform the same functions, either or both in any combination allowing the sharing of said recordings, audio or video or said live streaming content on social media platforms as directed by the user.

Claims

1. A substance dispensing container comprising: a) a container having a bottom portion, substantially upright sidewall surrounding the bottom portion which terminates at an upper rim, and a cap removably connected to an upper portion of the container, wherein portions of the container between the bottom portion and the sidewall define a cavity for confining a fluid, b) a transparent inner annulus that extends upward from the bottom portion of the container at least partly upward into said cavity, c) a means to connect an illuminating base to the bottom of the container so as to dispose a light source in optical communication within the inner annulus to irradiate the fluid within the cavity, said light source further comprising a light emitting diode (LED), said illuminating base further comprising a heating element that is disposed in thermal communication with the bottom and a lower portion of the sidewalls of the container when the light source is disposed within the inner annulus, said illuminating base further comprising an external socket for receiving a power connection, wherein the external socket is wired to one or more of the light source and the heating element, wherein the fluid includes dispersed or dissolved luminescent material therein at least partially filling the container, and wherein the base comprises a motor to drive a mixing blade assembly in the container.

2. The substance dispensing container of claim 1 wherein the motor drives a magnet in the base which is magnetically coupled to a magnet in the mixing blade assembly.

3. The substance dispensing container of claim 2 wherein said annulus further comprises a temperature sensing device, the sidewall has disposed along a sidewall length a means for determining opacity and substance volume, said illuminating base enclosing a cavity with an opening at a surface of said base, said cavity housing circuitry for a microprocessor, communication means, operational relays, temperature and opacity sensor connections, USB connections, a communications interface at said cavity opening of a base outer surface, said communications interface sufficient to receive an LED touchscreen controller whereby sensors and relays may be operated to sense temperature, opacity and illumination, operate the mixing blade assembly, LED light and heating elements according to a set of instructions received by a client application.

4. The substance dispensing container of claim 3 wherein an LED touchscreen assembly comprising an LED touchscreen housed in a receptacle, said receptacle also containing sufficient microprocessing and communication components, said LED touchscreen assembly further comprising a communications interface for communicating with said circuitry within said illuminating base, said assembly further capable of receiving instructions from a mobile device running a client application in order to fully communicate with and operate said substance dispensing container.

5. The substance dispensing container of claim 4 wherein said LED touchscreen assembly having microprocessing circuitry sufficient to run the client application without communicating with a mobile device.

6. The substance dispensing container of claim 5 wherein said LED touchscreen assembly further comprising a camera capable of recording video during use as well as monitoring the volume and the opacity of the substance in the container.

7. The substance dispensing container of claim 1 wherein the motor drives an axle that penetrates the container bottom which has a mechanical coupling to the mixing blade assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional elevation view of a first embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 1B shows the components thereof separated for a method of use.

(2) FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional elevation view of a first embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 2B shows the components thereof separated for a method of use.

(3) FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional elevation view of a third embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 3B shows the components thereof separated for a method of use.

(4) FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional elevation view of a fourth embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 4B shows the components thereof separated for a method of use.

(5) FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional elevation view of a fifth embodiment of the invention, in which FIG. 5B shows the components thereof separated for a method of use.

(6) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevation view of another embodiment of the invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation view of another embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional elevation view of another embodiment of the invention.

(9) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional elevation view of another embodiment of the invention.

(10) FIG. 10A is a process flow chart illustrating a typical Choose and Run Preparation application command process on a standard client (smartphone or container-mounted LED touch screen) illustrating options for choosing and beginning the selection of a substance or medium to be prepared in one of the containers shown in FIGS. 1 through 9.

(11) FIG. 10B is a cross section of one embodiment of the present invention wherein a motor drives a shaft with a coupling for turning a mixing blade.

(12) FIG. 11 is a depiction of the container having the LED touchscreen mounted on the base of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(13) Referring to FIGS. 1A through 9, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components in the various views, there is illustrated therein a new and improved Container with Illumination Source, generally denominated 100 herein.

(14) In one aspect, the aforementioned limitation to luminescent products for topical application is overcome by storage in a dispensing container having an integrated light source and means to energize the light source.

(15) Such a container 100 as depicted in FIG. 1A-1B is a fluid dispenser which generally comprises a container 110 having a bottom portion 111 connected to side walls 112 that surround the bottom portion and then extend substantially upward to terminate at an upper rim 113. A cap or closure device 115 is removably connected to an upper portion of the container to form a fluid resistant seal at the rim 113. The portions of the container 110 between the bottom portion 111 and sidewalls 112 defines a cavity 101 for confining a fluid I that is to be dispensed either at the rim 113, such as when the cap 115 is removed, or opened at sealable opening within the cap 115, such as a pouring spout or spray nozzle, and the like.

(16) In the various other embodiments there are several alternative and not mutually exclusive means to connect an illuminating base 120 to the bottom 111 of the container 110 so as to dispose a light source 130 in optical communication with the fluid 1 contents having a luminescent property that are stored in the cavity. It is the object of the invention to enable the illumination of the fluid contents such that they are luminescent when being dispensed via the cap 115.

(17) In the embodiment of FIG. 1A-5B, a transparent inner annulus 118 that extends upward from the bottom portion 111 of the container at least partly upward into said cavity 101, such as in the form of a punt in a wine bottle. In such embodiments the light source 130 is preferably disposed within the inner annulus 118 to irradiate the fluid I that is contained within the cavity 101.

(18) The fluid 1 is one of body paint, massage oil, external lubricants, internal lubricants, lotions, creams or moisturizers, face paint, make up and the like. By fluid, we also mean a gel or cream that is relatively viscous, such as Vaseline, as one example of a brand of petroleum jelly. Such formulations can be conventional but include at least one component having a luminescent property, such as a soluble chemical compound or dispersed phosphorescent, fluorescent or luminescent pigment, such as those disclosed in the aforementioned US patent application number 2008/US20080057089 A1.

(19) A light source 130 is optionally disposed in optical communication with the interior contents of the container 100 through one or more transparent portions, such as the annulus 118, or portion of the sidewall or an upward intruding internal light pipe, or any other internal lighting element. The light source 130 is preferably a light emitting diode (LED) that emits blue light, which is light with wavelengths generally less than about 450 nm. The light source 130 is also preferably energized by an external source which is connected at an external socket connection 125, which is wired to the light source 113, but can also be energized with a battery that is either replaced or re-charged through the socket 125 via a charging circuit, or by a main power source (120 VAC in the US).

(20) FIG. 1A illustrates a first embodiment of such an invention in which the light source 130 and the external socket 125 are contained in a removable base element 120. FIG. 1B illustrates the container 100 separated from the removable base 120 with the cap 115 removed from the rim 130 of the container so the fluid content I can be removed and used to dispense the contents remote from the base 120.

(21) The connection to the external socket 125 is preferably of a standard format used for charging mobile phones, smart phones, tablet style computing devices and personal computers and the like. Such as, USB format, micro USB, as well as proprietary formats found on Apple brand computer products and Android OS-based computing products and displays.

(22) In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the container 100 has one or more transparent inner core member, such as the transparent annulus 118 for receiving a detachable light source 130. The detachable light sources 130 is on a base 120 that includes either a power supply, or an external plug connection to an external power supply. The inner core of the container is transparent to the light emitted by the light source. The detachable light source 130 is optionally firmly attached to the container, such as by a screw, bayonet or snap fitting, so that a user can externally agitate the container contents so that the fluid therein mixes and is uniformly exposed to the light source before the fluid is removed from the container via an upper opening at the rim. The attachment can be via the base 120, or the light source 130 can be part of the container 100, in which case the base 120 also provide an upward facing socket type electrical connection to the battery or charging/power socket of the base.

(23) In various more preferred embodiments, container 100 also has an integrated heater element 140 in thermal communication with the contents of the container. Such heating elements 140 are optionally etched foil resistive heating elements, which can be embed in the container walls or base, but are conventionally embedded in silicone rubber to be placed adjacent to the container 100. Heating elements are also optionally positive temperature coefficient resistive heating elements, thin film heating elements and the like.

(24) FIGS. 2A and 2B similarly illustrate a second embodiment of the invention in which the removable base 120 further comprises an annular heating element 140 disposed around the light source 110 but in thermal communication with the bottom portion 111. The position of the heater element 140 and light source 130 can also be reversed, with the heater in the inner annulus 118 and the light source 130 surrounding it to illuminate a transparent base 111. A plurality of separate light sources can be arranged around the perimeter of the base 120, or around external side walls 112 that are transparent.

(25) FIGS. 3A and 3B similarly illustrate a third embodiment of the invention in which the removable base 120 has heating elements 141 that form an annular wall that surround the lower portion of the container walls 112.

(26) FIGS. 4A and 4B similarly illustrate a fourth embodiment of the invention in which the removable base 120 has a battery 150 disposed therein for powering the light source 130, in which the battery 150 is preferably but not exclusively charged by an external socket connection 125.

(27) It should be appreciated that it is desirable for the container cavity portion 101 between the outer walls and the inner annulus be sufficiently thin with respect to the output of the light source and the extinction coefficient of the fluid with respect to the exciting wavelengths of light for luminescence that sufficient light reaches most of the fluid within the container. However, it is also anticipated that in use a user will lift and shake the container so as to more fully distribute the fluid therein, allowing any portion of the fluid that has not been illuminated to mix and become exposed to light source 130 with additional time.

(28) It may also be desirable that some portion of the container 100 have an exterior transparent window 116 so that a user can extinguish the room lights to determine if the contents are sufficiently charged with light to exhibit phosphorescent or fluorescent properties when the light sources de-energized.

(29) Such an embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B in which an upper portion of the container is transparent, forming window 116. The embodiment of FIG. 5B also illustrate a mixing blade 501 assembly disposed about the annular portion 118. The mixing portion or mixing blade assembly can be a fixed a series of static mixing blades that are rotated and curves, or blades that rotate when the bottle is agitated, or a blade assembly rotated by an axial connection 502 with the cap, such as via a magnetic coupling so the cap can be removed. Alternatively, the cap 115 can have a secondary dispensing orifice and rotate on the rim 113 to rotate the axial member and stirrer assembly 501/502. Alternatively, the stirring blades can be any shape or types, and are also optionally coupled to base 120, such as with a direct or geared drive shape penetrating the bottom of the container, or with a magnetic stirring assembly. In either case, the base may deploy a motor to rotate the base magnet, which attract the internal stirring bar or assembly the co-rotates to mix the content or drives blades.

(30) A more preferred embodiment is a transparent container, which can be entirely or partially transparent, in which the stirring assembly rotates and translates axially with the bottom. They can be accomplished with a stirring assembly that encounters an internal circular ramp in the interior bottom. An axially bottom penetrating drive shaft can also drive a cyclic vertical translation with simultaneous rotation, provide the stirring assembly can freely translates on it, such as with an internally sealed telescope in the axle. It is anticipated that such an embodiment would also provide a dynamic and decorative glow effect as the luminescent material mixes and translates, the disappearance of mixing striations indicating the luminescent material is fully charged with photonic energy for dispensing at the highest brightness. Any embodiment of the mixing blades may deploy sets or shape or serrated protuberance, such as teeth, that aid in breaking up and dispersing hardened agglomerate of pigment material, which can also be softened by warming with heaters or heat emitting light source.

(31) In such embodiments, the annulus can be combined with mixing blades, fins, bar and the like, which extend radially. When such an embodiment is combined with a magnetic drive for the mixing, the light from the light source can illuminate the annulus via a window in the base to avoid penetrating the bottom of the container, which is transparent adjacent container bottom. Alternatively, the blades can use the annulus containing the bulb or light source 130 as a central rotating hub. This embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 9 showing a motor 901 in the base 120, which drives shaft 902 that is connected to a magnetic annular disk or magnet array on a disk 903, in which the light source electrical connection is through the central bore of the annular disk 903. The motor 901 thus rotates the magnet 903 in the base, which rotates the stirrer blade assembly 904 with embedded magnets, shown as N and S for the pole that aligned with the disk magnet 903. The controller 190 optionally controls the motor 901 to conserve battery power when not connected, if desired by the user per the remote programming of portable electronic devices, such as smart phones, and tablet computers. Wiring to the light source 130 can be through an axial bore in the motor, or the motor 901 can be offset from the light connection to drives the shaft 902 or magnet 903 by a gear assembly. It should be appreciated that any battery can be charged by inductive coupling chargers that do not require a wire connection. It should be noted that FIG. 9 also illustrates the axial ramp 905 in section view, the right side of the bottle having a thicker bottom, than the left, so the stirring assembly, having a non-planar bottom, rises as the rotation of the stirrer 904 bottom moves up and down with the ramp 905 shape.

(32) FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which the container 110 is transparent and has a metal reflective coating, plating or cladding 160 facing the exterior 112a of the side wall. A plurality of light sources 131 and 132 are disposed around the perimeter of the base 120 to inject light into the transparent side walls 112, as shown by broken line arrows. This light is reflected off the metallic coating and into the interior cavity 101 of the container 110. The base 120 may also include a centrally disposed light source 130, which optionally illuminates or extends into the transparent inner annulus. The container walls 112 can have facets for reflecting the light into the cavity 101 and/or the angular distribution of light into the walls 112 can be shaped by lenses associated with the light sources 130.

(33) In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the base 120 includes a controller 190 in signal communication with an external source, such as via a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection (via a transceiver or transmitter associated with the controller) to energize at least one of the light source and heating/warming elements. Further, such a controller 190 or the external source can signal when the contents are warm, and are fully charged by irradiation to provide the desired illuminant properties when the fluid 1 is ready to dispense, as well as when the contents should be mixed or stirred. The external device is optionally a portable computing device, such as a phone, smart phone or tablet computer and the like. In FIG. 7, the light source is also optionally disposed and fixed in the annular cavity 118, and connects to the base 120 via a mating plug and socket 132 and 122 respectively. The controller 190 may also be in signal communication to activate an external display that is visible at the edge, side or top of the base, such as to display charger status, battery charge state, wireless connection status, temperature, remaining time to charge, remaining time to use, mix, when to shake or otherwise distribute the contents, and the like. Such information can also be transmitted to another device by the controller 190. Further, the transmitter of the controller is also optionally can tuned on/off manually, or can be controlled by the controller via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular phone connection, computer. Further, via a controller the motor and any other hardware or electronic components can be wirelessly activated or energized, or de-activated or de-energized.

(34) The embodiment of FIG. 8 deploys a solid annulus or cone 801 that has a reflective metal core 802 such that it acts as a light pipe for the light source in the base. As shown by broken line arrows, light is reflected off the metallic coating or core and into the interior cavity 101 of the container 110. The lower container walls are optionally reflective, having an inner reflective layer 803 or transparent as in FIG. 5 with an outer reflective metallic covering 160. The metal core 802 may have facets to control the dispersion of light broadly into the cavity 101.

(35) An internal or external reflective covering of the container 101 can also function as a thin film heating elements, such as an etched foil heater. The base and controller may also deploy a thermistor, thermocouple or other thermal sensor to prevent overheating the contents and signal from such a sensor indicate the contents have already been warmed to a comfortable temperature or at least a sufficient temperature to re-disperse the luminescent pigment, or lower the fluid 1 viscosity sufficiently to disperse such pigment by one of shaking, stirring and agitating, and the like. Further, the base 120 may container a circuit or micro-switch to detect when the container 110 is removed from base 120, and de-energize the light source 130, and de-energize the heater element(s) 140.

(36) In any of the embodiments, the battery is optionally charged by a photovoltaic source. In any of the embodiments, the lights source can be an LED, incandescent light source, fluorescent light, electroluminescent light and the like. it should be appreciate that an incandescent or other light source can be used both to illuminate and charge the luminescent material, as well as heat the contents. In any of the embodiment, the walls can be rigid or flexible to squeeze the fluid out of a nozzle or opening at the rim or within the cap. The drawings are not intended to represent a particular size or scale, or be construed as limiting in any way. The various illustrations shows cross-sections, as it is contemplated that preferred embodiments will have circular symmetry. However, the container 110 and base 120 need not have exclusivity a cylindrical shape or any particular shape. In any of the embodiments, the base may deploy a plurality of different connector types socket to accept different types of proprietary charger plugs to charge the battery power the heater and or energize the light sources. Further, in any of the embodiment may deploy multiple transparent inner annuluses 118, each illuminating the container cavity by an associated light source and/or the light pipe or cone 801 of FIG. 8, as appropriate to the container size and available output of the light source and the fluids optical properties.

(37) In preferred embodiment the hardware components, such as light source(s), and bulb(s), motor, stirring blades, drive axles, magnets, battery(s), electronic components, and the parts that form the base, can be snapped in or out of mating components to open and replace or remove them from the base for servicing and maintenance of the device 100.

(38) Another aspect of the invention is providing a means to replace the fluid 1 when the container 110 is empty or nearly empty. The container can be refilled by mixing a fluid base, such as a silicone fluid and a powered fluorescent pigment from separate container or pre-measured sealed packet. Such packets can be provided of pigments that fluoresce in different colors, and are preferably alkaline earth aluminates, such as without limitation are strontium aluminate, silicate aluminate, or any alkaline earth aluminate. A number of earth metals can be used depending on the particular product and color desired, including strontium, magnesium, calcium, and barium, to make, for example, barium aluminate, calcium aluminate, and magnesium aluminate. The glowing colors span the spectrum from greenish yellow to purple blue. Silicon or titanium may be added, and each alkaline earth metal aluminate may be doped with europium or other rare earth elements. Further, alkaline earth silicates can be employed, as can silicate aluminate and zinc sulfide, though with notably less luminosity and persistence than strontium aluminate. Alkaline earth silicate produces a sky blue color not produced by alkaline earth aluminates. Yet another alternative is earth mineral crystals.

(39) As shown in FIG. 10A, the process flow begins after the LED screen is powered on by depressing one of the selection means depicted in FIG. 11 and contains a series of steps to be selected as part of the client application. Throughout the process description, references to displays on an LED touchscreen and selections refer to FIG. 11. After powering on, the user is provided a choice to automatically begin a batch run instruction set starting the application. The selection query Auto? depicted as step 1002 provides the user to select a yes option or a no option (not shown) selected by the aforementioned selection means. A selection of no directs the user to step 1003 wherefrom the user can then select a menu of selections to manually select values and instructions which alternately can be automatically calculated and run by the client app by choosing the yes selection which then initiates a sequence beginning with step 1004 Poll Sensors, on through the automatic functions. The manual selection of step 1003 is useful, for example in the case where the user already knows the substance in the container, that it is full and at room temperature, and further if the user also, by experience or by accessing information from the archive understands that high intensity lamination and mixing of one minute will achieve the desired substance result immediately ready to use.

(40) As stated, a yes selection of Auto selection step 1002 yields the display of step 1004 Poll Sensors which then accesses the information available from applicable sensors communicating with Temperature Sensors as shown in step 1005, Opacity/Illumination Sensors as shown in step 1006 and Volume Sensors as shown in step 1007. It should be noted that sensor polling is not a sequential step per se, but rather is an instantaneous reading of these parameters which are then be aggregated as shown in step 1008 Aggregate Data.

(41) At the same time that the sensor polling has aggregated the status of the aforementioned parameters of the substance in the container, the user is prompted by step 1009 Identify Substance prompting the user to select from a menu displaying all the various lotions, oils, GITD substances, cosmetics, scrubs and masks possible. A selection sub-step 1010 Access Archive displays a record of the last instruction set run by the client app automatically or manually thereby identifying the substance remaining in the container thereby allowing the user to confirm the substance and then executing the next step 1011 Calculate Batch Instructions.

(42) At this juncture in the client app, step 1012 option Run is displayed providing the option to select step 1013, Enter Start Date & Time by selecting a no option allowing the user to schedule the batch run for a future time, or by selecting a yes option which then proceeds to step 1014 Run Batch.

(43) Upon completion of the batch run, step 1015 Notify Completion is a notification function which alerts the user that the substance preparation is complete. Sensor polling has continued throughout the batch run until all parameters have been achieved and that the batch run instruction set has been satisfied complete. These parameters are compared with the archived data comprising both experience data from previous runs or standard batch set instructions which select illumination, heating and mixing run times already known to be necessary given the parameters of all selected and loaded substances in the database.

(44) It is further worthy of note that these same steps are capable of being run from a mobile device either as a substitute for the onboard LED touchscreen or in parallel as the user may have stepped away from the container during the batch run and may be continuing the operation of the client app on a mobile device.

(45) Once step 1015 has displayed, a selection step 1016 Use Substance is displayed with a selection of step 1017 Process Complete which allows the user to either terminate the batch run or step 1018 Reset/Reschedule which reverts to step 1013 to schedule the batch run later and pick up the auto sequence at the predetermined time.

(46) By choosing step 1017, an option to choose step 1019 Maintain is offered which can be selected to continue to maintain the parameters at the optimum temperature, and illumination while continuing to mix as prescribed by the batch runs in the database for a specified period of time such as 15 minutes, 30 minutes, etc. Selecting step 1019 and selecting a maintenance time or not returns the process to step 1016 with an affirmation of the user's intent to use the product and not reschedule. Step 1016 Use Substance then gives the user the opportunity to choose step 1020 Engage Social Media Activities which allows the user to use the client app to access the social media platform of choice in which to upload images, videos, audio recordings, etc. A selection is also available to use without engaging social media.

(47) At some point during the activity, by touching the LED touchscreen of FIG. 11, or in a predetermined amount of time, say, for example, 15 minutes, step 1021 is displayed prompting the user to either continue or end the client application. If an end selection is chosen, step 1022 Complete appears to confirm that the user wishes to terminate the use thereby rendering the container dormant. A yes selection continues gives the option to continue use with the engagement of social media. Step 1021 also provides a selection option for the user to continue to use the substance without engaging social media. If so chosen, the touching of the LED touchscreen can again be used to select step 1022 or to continue at the user's discretion.

(48) FIG. 11 depicts a preferred embodiment of Applicant's smart container 1100 (lid not shown) showing an LED touchscreen 1101 housed in a receptacle 1102 and mounted on container base 1103 through a smart connection 1104, said receptacle having there inserted optional scrolling and selecting means, 1105 and 1105. In another embodiment of Applicant's invention (not shown), the LED touchscreen is integral to the base of the container. Scrolling and selecting means 1105 comprises a trackball which can direct a curser on screen 1101 to a selection whereby the user may then depress trackball 1105 making a selection.

(49) In the case of scrolling and selecting means 1105 a set of four arrows, 1106, 1107, 1108 and 1109, each pointing in incremental 90 degree directions akin to north, south, east and west, are proximate to and equidistant from a button 1110 centered between the arrows allowing the user to scroll through selections displayed on touchscreen 1101 and make a selection by depressing button 1110. By these scrolling and selecting means, the user can control the functions of container 1100 provided by the client application.

(50) Either trackball 1105 or button 1110 may power on the touchscreen by depressing either selection means for a predetermined time period, for example five or ten seconds.

(51) While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. More particularly, it while the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. More particularly, it should be understood that the disclosure of a particular features, aspect or variant with respect to one embodiment is not intended to preclude combinations or exclusions of such features, aspects or variants from others embodiments.