DISPENSER AND METHOD OF DISPENSING A MATERIAL

Abstract

A dispenser and methods for dispensing a material into a receptacle comprises a dispenser outlet for dispensing material into the receptacle; a support for receiving a receptacle; at least one lateral sensor positioned to laterally sense a receptacle received on the support; an upper sensor positioned to sense a receptacle received on the support from above; and a controller operatively connected to the lateral and upper sensors. The controller is configured to sense the presence of a receptacle received on the support, calculate the volume of the receptacle and/or the volume of material within the receptacle from data received from the lateral and upper sensors, and control the volume of material dispensed from the dispenser outlet into the receptacle based upon the calculated volume of the receptacle and/or the volume of material within the receptacle.

Claims

1. A dispenser for dispensing a material into a receptacle, the dispenser comprising a dispenser outlet for dispensing material into the receptacle; a support for receiving a receptacle; at least one lateral sensor positioned to laterally sense a receptacle received on the support; an upper sensor positioned to sense a receptacle received on the support from above; and a controller operatively connected to the lateral and upper sensors and configured to sense the presence of a receptacle received on the support, calculate the volume of the receptacle and/or the volume of material within the receptacle from data received from the lateral and upper sensors, and control the volume of material dispensed from the dispenser outlet into the receptacle based upon the calculated volume of the receptacle and/or the volume of material within the receptacle.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1 configured for dispensing a beverage.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1 which comprises a single lateral sensor, and wherein the support means comprises positioning means for positioning a receptacle received on the support.

4. A dispenser according to claim 1 which comprises two, three, four, five, six or more lateral sensors.

5. A dispenser according to claim 4 wherein the lateral sensors are spaced apart in different positions along the X, Y and/or Z Cartesian axes relative to the support.

6. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein at least two lateral sensors are positioned opposite each other on either side of the support at different heights from the support.

7. A dispenser according to claim 1 which has a single upper sensor.

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the lateral and/or upper sensor comprise sensors selected from one or more of ultrasonic sensors, infrared (IR) sensors, laser sensors, time-of-flight sensors, and optical recognition means.

11. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the lateral and/or upper sensor comprise ultrasonic sensors and/or optical recognition means.

12. A dispenser according to claim 11 comprising one or more ultrasonic sensors wherein the ultrasonic sensor(s) is configured to detect the first echo and/or the first and second echoes.

13. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser outlet and the upper sensor are adjacent.

14. (canceled)

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to control the amount of material being dispensed from the dispenser as a time based flow rate calculation or a volumetric flow rate calculation.

18. A dispenser according to claim 1 which is configured to dispense material at a fixed flow rate.

19. A dispenser according to claim 1 which comprises a flow rate monitor to monitor the flow rate of material being dispensed.

20. (canceled)

21. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the controller comprises a computer having a programmable memory, which is capable of receiving instructions from a user.

22. A dispenser according to claim 1 which comprises a user input means, through which a user can input selections regarding the material they wish to be dispensed.

23. A dispenser according to claim 22 wherein the user input means comprises a touchscreen.

24. A dispenser according to claim 22 which is configured to allow the user to be able to select the type of material, the fill level, and/or the flavour of material to be dispensed from the dispenser.

25. A dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to calculate the volume of a receptacle received by the support and control the dispenser to dispense a volume of material from the dispenser up to a pre-determined fill maximum.

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. A dispenser according to claim 1 which comprises a pressure sensor in the support, to provide data regarding the weight of the receptacle, and/or comprises optical recognition means to provide data regarding the dimensions, volume and/or positioning of a receptacle on the support.

34. (canceled)

35. (canceled)

36. (canceled)

37. (canceled)

38. (canceled)

39. A method of dispensing a material from a dispenser into a receptacle, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the receptacle on a support; sensing the receptacle laterally using at least one lateral sensor positioned laterally of the support; sensing the receptacle from above using an upper sensor positioned above the support; sensing the presence of the receptacle, and calculating the volume of the receptacle and/or the volume of material within the receptacle from data received from the lateral and upper sensors; and dispensing material into the receptacle based upon the calculated volume of the receptacle and/or the volume of material within the receptacle.

40. A method according to claim 39 carried out using a dispenser according to claim 1.

41. A method according to claim 39 wherein the material is a beverage.

42. A method according to claim 39 wherein the lateral and/or upper sensor sense the receptacle on the support by transmitting signals towards the receptacle and receiving signals reflected by the receptacle, and/or using optical recognition means.

43. A method according to claim 39 wherein the lateral and/or upper sensor sense the receptacle on the supper by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic sound waves.

44. (canceled)

45. (canceled)

46. (canceled)

47. (canceled)

48. (canceled)

49. (canceled)

50. (canceled)

51. (canceled)

52. (canceled)

53. A method according to claim 39 wherein if no receptacle is sensed on the support then a controller prevents any material being dispensed by the dispenser.

54. A method according to any one of claim 39 wherein if the dispenser senses that the receptacle is off-set from the centre of the support by an amount which exceeds a threshold value then it prevents any material being dispensed.

55. (canceled)

56. (canceled)

57. (canceled)

58. (canceled)

59. (canceled)

60. (canceled)

61. (canceled)

62. (canceled)

Description

[0063] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0064] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of a dispenser according to the first aspect of the present invention;

[0065] FIGS. 2a and 2b show a side view and view from below respectively of an upper ultrasonic sensor, reflector and dispenser outlet for use in an embodiment of a dispenser according to the first aspect of the present invention;

[0066] FIG. 3 shows the measured dimensions of glasses of different shapes containing 200 ml of water using a dispenser as illustrated in FIG. 1; and

[0067] FIG. 4 is a plot of “slide-in” data from an upper ultrasonic sensor for use in a dispenser as illustrated in FIG. 1, detecting the edge and base of a glass slid into position.

[0068] An embodiment of a dispenser 10 of the first aspect of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The dispenser 10 comprises a housing 11 which is open at the front, and into which a receptable (not shown in FIG. 1) may be placed, to be received on a support 14. A dispenser outlet 12 for dispensing material into a receptacle is positioned directly above the support 14, for dispensing a material, such as a beverage, into the receptacle. The dispenser outlet 12 is in communication with a source of material (not shown in FIG. 1) to be dispensed, for example hot and cold beverages, carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, flavour concentrates, syrups, and so forth. The support 14 may have positioning means (not shown) for enabling a receptacle to be correctly positioned on the support 14. The dispenser 10 also comprises a user input means in the form of touchscreen 21, through which a user can make various selections regarding the material they wish to be dispensed.

[0069] The dispenser 10 further comprises first 16, second 18, and third 20 lateral ultrasonic sensors for transmitting ultrasonic sound waves laterally against the side walls of a receptacle received on the support 14 and receiving the reflected waves, an upper ultrasonic sensor 22 positioned above the support 14 for transmitting ultrasonic sound waves downwardly towards a receptacle and receiving the reflected waves, and a controller (not shown in FIG. 1) operatively connected to the lateral 16, 18, 20 and upper 22 ultrasonic sensors and configured to sense the presence of a receptacle on the support, calculate the volume of a receptacle and/or the volume of material within a receptacle from data received from the lateral 16, 18, 20 and upper 22 ultrasonic sensors, and control the volume of material dispensed from the dispenser outlet 12 into a receptacle based upon the calculated volume of the receptacle and/or the volume of material within the receptacle.

[0070] The lateral ultrasonic sensors 16, 18 and 20 are located in the side walls of the housing 11, with the first 16 and third 20 ultrasonic sensors located on the same side of the housing 11, and the second ultrasonic sensor 18 positioned at a height from the support 14 between the first 16 and third 20 ultrasonic sensors, and located on the opposite side of the housing 11. Whilst this embodiment of the dispenser of the invention comprises three lateral ultrasonic sensors, more or fewer lateral sensors may be used. If only a single lateral sensor is used, then the support preferably comprises positioning means for positioning a receptacle on the support 14 with known accuracy. In the illustrated embodiment, the lateral ultrasonic sensors 16, 18 and 20 are positioned at heights from the support 14 according to the requirements of the dispenser 10 and its intended use. Thus, for example, in for use in the home, typical receptacles which might be used with the dispenser 10 are a mug/tumbler, a highball type glass, either straight-sided or curved, and a wine glass. These different glasses may have a radius of from, for example, 5 to 8 cm, and a height of from, for example, 6 to 20 cm, depending upon the receptacle. The lateral ultrasonic sensors 16, 18, 20 will thus be positioned at appropriate heights from the support 14 to measure the radii of the different receptacles. For example, the first lateral ultrasonic sensor 16 may be positioned, for example, at a height of from 2 to 5 cm above the sensor, the second lateral ultrasonic sensor 18 may be positioned, for example, at a height of from 6 to 8 cm above the support 14, and the third ultrasonic sensor 20 may be positioned, for example, at a height of from 9 to 12 cm above the support 14. The lateral ultrasonic sensors are also preferably offset front-to-back (although this cannot be seen in the front view of FIG. 1). The upper ultrasonic sensor 22 is positioned above a receptacle positioned on the support 14, for example at a height of 20-25 cm above the support 14 to accommodate the different types of receptacles to be used with the dispenser 10, and the housing 11 is thus sized accordingly.

[0071] Any suitable ultrasonic sensor may be used as the lateral ultrasonic sensors 16, 18, 20 and upper ultrasonic sensor 22 in the dispenser 10, according to the requirements of the dispenser. Different ultrasonic sensors have different specifications, including range (cm), accuracy (±cm), sensing envelope (±degrees), and dimensions (size), and the particular sensor to be used will depend upon the particular dispenser in question. For example, a suitable ultrasonic sensor may have a range of from 2-3000 cm, an accuracy of ±0.3 cm), a sensing envelope of ±15°, and dimensions of approximately 15-25×40-50 mm (width×height).

[0072] The dispenser 10 may comprise one upper ultrasonic sensor 22 or a plurality of upper ultrasonic sensors 22 (for example two, three, four or more sensors). The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 has a single upper ultrasonic sensor 22. For example, the dispenser 10 may comprise a first upper ultrasonic sensor positioned for detecting the rim height of a receptacle, and a second upper ultrasonic sensor positioned for detecting the fill level of material within the receptacle. Alternatively, a single upper ultrasonic sensor may be used which is configured to detect two echoes instead of one, and thus detect the two closest objects to the sensor (which will typically be the receptacle rim and the fill level of material within the receptacle).

[0073] In the dispenser 10 of the present invention, the dispenser outlet 12 is positioned above the support 14 so that material being dispensed is dispensed directly into the receptacle. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the dispenser outlet 12 and upper ultrasonic sensor 22 are adjacent, directly above the support 14. Alternatively, the upper ultrasonic sensor 22 may be positioned away from the dispenser outlet 12 and for the ultrasonic sound waves transmitted by the upper ultrasonic sensor 22 to be reflected towards a receptable received on the support.

[0074] For example, with reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b, a reflector assembly 24 may be positioned adjacent the dispenser outlet 12 for reflecting ultrasonic sound waves from the upper ultrasonic sensor 22 downwardly towards a receptable received on the support 14. The reflector assembly 24 comprises a reflector 26 angled at 45 degrees to reflect ultrasonic waves orthogonally, meaning that the upper ultrasonic sensor 22 is positioned to transmit ultrasonic sound waves laterally (e.g. substantially horizontally), which are then reflected orthogonally by the reflector 26, downwardly towards a receptacle received by the support 14, as indicated in FIG. 2a by arrow A (and vice versa for the echoes). As shown in FIG. 2b, the reflector plate 26 has a centrally positioned gap 28 through which the dispenser outlet 12 extends.

[0075] The dispenser 10 further comprises a controller (not shown in the Figures) operatively connected to the lateral 16, 18, 20 and upper 22 ultrasonic sensors and configured to calculate the volume of the receptacle and/or the volume of material within the receptacle from data received from the lateral 16, 18, 20 and upper 22 ultrasonic sensors, and control the volume of material dispensed from the dispenser outlet 12 into the receptacle based upon the calculated volume of the receptacle and/or the volume of material within the receptacle. The controller may control the amount of material being dispensed from the dispenser as a time based flow rate calculation or a volumetric flow rate calculation. Thus, the dispenser 10 may be configured to dispense material at a fixed flow rate, and/or may comprise a flow rate monitor (not shown in the Figures) which monitors the flow rate of material being dispensed, with the controller configured to make appropriate adjustments to the flow rate based upon the flow rate measurements. The controller may also be configured to control or adjust the properties of the material being dispensed, such as temperature, pressure, viscosity, concentration, and so forth.

[0076] The controller preferably comprises a computer having a programmable memory, which is capable of receiving instructions from a user, through touchscreen 21. For example, in the case of a beverage, the user may be able to select the type of beverage, the fill level, the flavour, and so forth. The controller is preferably configured to process the user instructions to control the type and amount of material to be dispensed from the dispenser 10, according to the user selection(s), and available volume of the receptacle, as calculated from the data received from the lateral 16, 18, 20 and upper 22 ultrasonic sensors. For example, if the user selects a particular beverage to be dispensed and places an empty receptacle on the support 14, then the controller can control the dispenser 10 to dispense an appropriate volume of that beverage up to a fill maximum. Alternatively, if the user wants a flavoured water beverage, then the user can fill a receptacle with a desired volume of water, place the receptacle on the support 14, and select the particular additive to be added through the touchscreen 21. The volume of water in the receptacle is calculated according to the data received from the lateral 16, 18, 20 and upper 22 ultrasonic sensors, and the controller instructs the dispenser 10 to dispense an appropriate amount of the requested additive. In embodiments, the user may have pre-programmed the dispenser 10 according to their own particular preferences for a given additive, such that the controller can instruct the dispenser 10 to dispense the correct amount of additive, based upon the calculated volume of water in the receptacle, so as to provide a “perfect” beverage for that user, without the user needing to measure out a precise volume of water into the receptacle. The controller may be configured to store multiple user profiles in a programmable memory. Thus, in a domestic setting, each member of the household may have their own user profile stored in the memory of the controller, which contains their own preferences for different beverages, for example, flavour/additive combinations, concentrations, and so forth.

[0077] The touchscreen display 21, can be used not only to enable the user to input selections, but also for displaying information to the user, such as nutritional information regarding particular beverages, the history of use of the dispenser by that particular user, and/or when the dispenser needs refilling with a particular material.

[0078] As discussed above, the dispenser 10 is preferably configured for wireless communication, for example Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 4G or 5G, and so forth, to enable the dispenser 10 to communicate with mobile devices, such as smartphones, through which a user may be able to input selections, for example through an appropriate app. In addition, the controller is preferably configured to use smart technologies, for example to receive information from a receptacle which incorporates communication means, such as an RFID tag, which incorporates information, for example via an identification code, regarding the receptacle and/or the user, such as user preferences for beverages. The receptacle may comprise an optical identifier, for example a barcode or QR code, and the dispenser 10 may comprise an optical identifier reader (not shown in the Figures), the optical identifier providing information regarding the receptacle and/or user. The dispenser 10 may comprise a pressure sensor (not shown in the Figures) in the support 14, to provide data regarding the weight of the receptacle.

[0079] The controller used in the dispenser 10 of the present invention is preferably configured to use artificial intelligence (AI), and in particular machine learning to improve the accuracy of volume calculations. The controller preferably has a programmable memory which is able to store and compare data regarding the volume of different types of receptacles, and use this comparison to provide more accurate volume calculations through the use of volume estimation algorithms. The controller may be configured to compare data regarding the volume of a newly measured receptacle for similarities with data for receptacles stored in its memory. The controller memory may be pre-stored with volume data for different receptacles which has been measured from a prior learning phase, which is updated and refined as new receptacles are measured. The dispenser 10 is preferably connectable to the internet, to enable the programmable memory to be updated with additional receptacle volume data, either from time to time at periodic intervals, or continuously in real time from other dispensers, i.e. the dispensers update each other. Machine learning can assist with the accuracy of volume calculations by taking into account factors which affect the volume of material which a receptacle can hold, such as wall and base thicknesses, the material from which a receptacle is made, geometry (e.g. simple versus more complicated shapes), and so forth, in particular when combined with other information, such as receptable weight (as measured for example by a pressure sensor), and shape (as measured for example by image capture). For example, during a learning phase the actual volume of a large number of different receptacles can be directly measured by filling each receptacle with material (e.g. water), and the volumes as calculated from the ultrasonic sensor data can be compared with the actual volume data, and adjustments made to take into account factors which affect volume, such as those listed above.

[0080] Whilst this preferred embodiment comprises ultrasonic lateral and upper sensors, as discussed above different types of sensors may be used in the dispenser and method of the present invention, such as infrared (IR) sensors, laser (e.g. LiDAR) sensors, time-of-flight sensors, and optical recognition means such as cameras and/or 3D imaging technology. For example, the dispenser and method may use a combination of ultrasonic sensors and optical recognition means.

EXAMPLES

Dispenser Rig

[0081] A dispenser 10 rig was assembled as illustrated in FIG. 1. The dispenser 10 comprised three lateral ultrasonic sensors 16, 18 and 20, and an upper ultrasonic sensor 22 positioned directly above the support 14. The first lateral ultrasonic sensor 16 was positioned at a height of 3 cm from the support 14, the second lateral ultrasonic sensor 18 was positioned at a height of 7.5 cm from the support 14 on the opposite side of the dispenser housing 11 to the first lateral ultrasonic sensor 16, and the third lateral ultrasonic sensor 20 was positioned above the first lateral ultrasonic sensor 16 at a height of 10.5 cm from the support 14. The upper ultrasonic sensor 22 was positioned directly above the support 14 at a height of 23 cm. The sensors were HC-SR04 ultrasonic ranging modules, which are widely commercially available. The ultrasonic sensors 16, 18, 20, 22 were each connected to an appropriately programmed controller and the measurements outputted as a frequency of 40 Hz.

Glass Types and Identification

[0082] Four glass types were selected for identification: a straight sided standard glass, a curved glass of approximately the same height as the straight glass, a shorter mug/tumbler, and a wine glass having pronounced curvature and a stem. Each glass was filled with 200 ml water and positioned in the centre of the support 14. The radii were calculated by subtracting the measured values from the distance to the centre of the support. The measurements were then plotted to visualise how each glass was represented in the controller software, and the results are shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the measured radii strongly resemble the true glasses.

Volume Measurement—Filled Glasses

[0083] The radii of the straight sided and curved glasses were measured, and all significant radii averaged so each glass is represented as a plain cylinder of calculated average radius and measured water height. A radius was considered significant if it was larger than 1.5 cm. The volume of the glass is then calculated using the formula for the volume of a cylinder. The water level and radius values were then modified by representative wall and base thickness values. The volume calculation for the straight sided standard glass was 3% above the measured volume, and that for the curved glass was 7% above the measured volume. Accurate volume calculations including wall and base thickness assumptions can be achieved through a learning phase in which data is collected on a large set of representative glasses, with machine learning techniques employed based upon glass geometry.

[0084] Next, 250 ml of water was placed in each glass to ensure that the base thickness values for the glasses were optimised around one cup of water. The percentage error for the calculated volume for the straight sided and curved glasses with representative wall and base thickness values (0.2 cm and 2 cm respectively) were both 6% above the measured volumes. With the actual glass thicknesses included, the error margin for the straight sided glass was 0% and that for the curved glass 2% above the measured volume. A mug/tumbler was also tested, and with a measured glass thickness the calculated volume was 7% above the measured volume.

Volume Measurement—Empty Glasses

[0085] In these tests, a dispenser rig as described above was used incorporating a reflector plate for the upper ultrasonic sensor, as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The reflector plate was angled at 45° to orthogonally reflect the ultrasonic waves.

[0086] The total available volume of a glass was calculated through two different methods: direct measurement of the edge of the glass, and a “slide-in” method in which an empty glass was slid into position. A plot of slide-in data for a straight sided glass is shown in FIG. 4, in which the edge of the glass is clearly visible before the plot settles back to the level of the base of the glass.

[0087] The maximum volume of the glass was measured by filling the glass with water until full, then weighing the glass. The same volume average radius, base thickness and wall assumptions as discussed above for the filled glasses were applied for the empty glasses. For direct measurement, the error margin for the calculated volumes of the straight sided and curved glasses were respectively 7% and 1% below the measured volumes. For the slide-in measurement, the error margin for the calculated volumes of the straight sided and curved glasses were respectively 17% below and 7% above the measured volumes. Thus, the results for the direct measurement were slightly more accurate than those for the slide in measurement, which may be due to variations in user behaviour for the latter.

[0088] It will be understood that the embodiments illustrated herein show features and applications of the invention only for the purposes of illustration. In practice the invention may be applied to many different configurations, the detailed embodiments being straightforward for those skilled in the art to implement.