Apparatus for Indicating Temperature of a Liquid Inside a Bottle

Abstract

An apparatus for indicating temperature of a liquid inside a bottle, the apparatus including: a housing having an upper surface configured to support a bottle; a base surface configured to rest on a flat structure; a non-contact thermometer located inside the housing; one or more indicators to display or provide an indication of a temperature state of the bottle; and a processor; wherein the non-contact thermometer senses temperature of a bottle placed on the upper surface of the housing and sends signals relating to the temperature to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to provide an indication via the one or more indicators alert a user if there is an increase in temperature state of the bottle.

Claims

1. An apparatus for indicating temperature of a liquid inside a bottle, the apparatus comprising: a housing having an upper surface configured to support a bottle; a base surface configured to rest on a flat structure; a non-contact thermometer located inside the housing; one or more indicators to display or provide an indication of a temperature state of the bottle; and a processor; wherein the non-contact thermometer senses temperature of a bottle placed on the upper surface of the housing and sends signals relating to the temperature to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to provide an indication via the one or more indicators to warn a user if there is an increase in temperature state of the bottle, wherein the one or more indicators provides a different indication from the indication of the temperature of the bottle if the temperature of the bottle is increasing as a result of uneven heating.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the one or more indicators comprises an array of lights, or an array of LED lights.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the array of LED lights comprises a colour display of at least three colours to indicate a high temperature, an optimum temperature and a low temperature state of the bottle.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the array of LED lights will display a first colour, such as a red colour when the temperature state of the bottle is high, preferably when the temperature is above 37.5 C.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the array of LED lights will display a second colour, such as a green colour when the temperature state of the bottle is optimum, preferably when the temperature is in the range between 36.5 C. and 37 C.

6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the array of LED lights will display a third colour, such as a blue colour when the temperature state of the bottle is too low, preferably when the temperature is below 36 C.

7. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the array of LED lights is positioned in the circumference of the upper surface of the housing extending part way around the circumference.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the different indication is one or more of the following: a different colour displayed by a light; an audible alarm emitted by a loudspeaker; a vibration created by a vibration device; a different indication on a display screen.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, the non-contact thermometer is embedded in the center of the housing.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing is cylindrical or flat spheroidal in shape.

11. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the array of LED lights will intermittently flash if the bottle has only just been removed from a heating environment.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the housing houses a battery.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the non-contact thermometer is a non-contact infrared thermometer.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the non-contact thermometer provides a signal indicative of the temperature of the contents of the bottle to the processor.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to read a temperature of the bottle over a predetermined period of time.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor calculates an average of the temperature recorded over the predetermined period of time.

17. The apparatus according to claims 15, wherein the predetermined period of time is 5 or 20 seconds.

18. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the processor will alert the user of an increase in the temperature of the bottle when the temperature of the bottle is higher than the average of the temperature recorded over the predetermined period of time.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the processor calculates an average temperature over a relatively longer period of time and calculates an average temperature over a relatively short period of time.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a warning sequence of lights are displayed to warn the user that the temperature state of the bottle is increasing when the average temperature calculated over the relatively short period of time is greater than the average temperature calculated over the relatively longer period of time.

21. An apparatus for indicating temperature of a liquid inside a bottle, the apparatus comprising: a housing having an upper surface configured to support a bottle; a base surface configured to rest on a flat structure; a non-contact thermometer located inside the housing; one or more indicators to display or provide an indication of a temperature state of the bottle; and a processor; wherein the non-contact thermometer senses temperature of a bottle placed on the upper surface of the housing and sends signals relating to the temperature to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to provide an indication via the one or more indicators to warn a user if there is an increase in temperature state of the bottle, wherein the one or more indicators provides no indication if the temperature of the bottle is increasing as a result of uneven heating.

22. An apparatus for indicating temperature of a liquid inside a bottle, the apparatus comprising: a housing having an upper surface configured to support a bottle; a base surface configured to rest on a flat structure; a non-contact thermometer located inside the housing; one or more indicators to display or provide an indication of a temperature state of the bottle; and a processor; wherein the non-contact thermometer senses temperature of a bottle placed on the upper surface of the housing and sends signals relating to the temperature to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to provide an indication via the one or more indicators to warn a user if there is an increase in temperature state of the bottle, wherein the one or more indicators provides an indication of maximum temperature if the temperature of the bottle is increasing as a result of uneven heating and the temperature state of the bottle is already over a threshold temperature.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0043] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0044] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a front side view of the preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the preferred embodiment showing the illumination of the array of LED lights at different temperature states of the bottle.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of other preferred embodiments showing the illumination of the array of LED lights at different temperature states of the bottle.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0048] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus 100 for indicating temperature of a liquid inside a bottle as shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus comprises a housing 101. The housing has an upper surface 102 which is configured to receive or support a bottle. The housing also has a base surface 103 which rests on a flat surface such as a table top or counter top. On the upper surface 102, there is an array of light emitting diode (LED) lights 104. In a preferred embodiment, the LED lights 104 are located on the perimeter of the upper surface of the housing.

[0049] One or more indicators in the form of LED lights 104 display the temperature state of the bottle. In a preferred embodiment, the LED lights comprise a colour display of three colours, being red, green and blue, to indicate a high temperature, a low temperature, and an optimum temperature state of the bottle. When the temperature state of the bottle is high (i.e. above 37.5 C.), the red LED lights will illuminate to alert the user that the liquid inside the bottle is too hot. The apparatus will have three red LED lights (as shown in FIG. 3). If the temperature is just above 37.5 C., a single red LED light may illuminate to indicate that the temperature of the contents of the bottle (e.g. milk) is slightly too hot. If the milk is hotter, the second and then the third red LED light may illuminate to indicate that the temperature of the milk is even hotter. As the temperature decreases to a range of 37.5 C. the red LED lights will gradually switch off as the milk cools. A single green LED light will illuminate at the range of 36.5 C. and 37.4 C. to indicate to the user that the milk inside the bottle is now at optimum drinking temperature. The colour display provides an easy to understand temperature reading without the need for the user to memorise temperature ranges or calculation. This feature makes it easier for caretakers such as babysitters and grandparents who can simply feed the milk to the baby once the green LED light illuminates and be assured that the milk is at optimum drinking temperature. The colour display also enables users to quickly predict how much cold or hot water may be added to the milk to lower or increase the temperature of the milk. If the temperature of the contents of the bottle falls below 36.5 C., one or more of the blue LED lights will illuminate. As the temperature drops below 36.5 C., more of the blue LED lights will illuminate to provide a visual indication that the contents of the bottle is too cool for drinking.

[0050] At the center of the upper surface 102, there is a center point 106. The center point 106 is the position at which the non-contact infrared thermometer measures the temperature of the bottle. The non-contact infrared thermometer (not shown in FIG. 1) is located inside the housing 101.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment, the non-contact thermometer will sense the temperature of the bottle placed on the upper surface of the housing and sends a signal relating to the temperature to the processor 107 (shown in FIG. 2). When the temperature state of the bottle continues to rise, the processor 107 is configured to alert a user of an increase in temperature state of the bottle. The user is alerted by way of intermittent flashing of all LED lights.

[0052] During operation, the processor 107 is configured to read temperature data and store each reading in a number array. The processor is also configured to read the temperature data for a predetermined period of time (e.g. over a 5 second period or 20 second period). An average of the temperature data is then calculated from the reading of the predetermined period. When the non-contact thermometer senses that the temperature state of the bottle is higher than the calculated average of the temperature data, the processor 107 will signal to the user that the temperature state of the bottle is increasing.

[0053] In one embodiment, the processor 107 determines an average temperature over a 20 second period, which can be taken to be indicative of a longer term average temperature. The processor also determines an average temperature over a 5 second period, which can be taken to be a short-term average temperature that closely approximates the actual temperature of the bottle. If the short-term average temperature is higher than the longer term average temperature, the processor 107 determines that the temperature of the contents of the bottle is increasing and the warning sequence of LEDs is displayed. This warning sequence of LEDs will continue until the processor determines that the short-term average temperature is less than the longer-term average temperature, which indicates that the temperature of the contents of the bottle is decreasing.

[0054] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 shows a frontal side view of the present invention. At the bottom of the base surface 103, there may be at least two raised feet 105 supporting the housing 101. In a preferred embodiment, the housing is shaped in a flat spheroid or disk-like appearance.

[0055] However, the housing is not limited to any particular shape. For example, the housing can be cylindrical, rectangular or square in shape. FIG. 2 shows provided in the housing 101 the processor 107 a loudspeaker 108 for emitting an audible alarm according to some embodiments, and a vibration device 109 for creating a vibration according to some embodiments.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows the indicators at different temperature states of the bottle. In particular, in FIG. 3, a display that comprises 7 LED lights is provided. The LED lights comprise three blue LED lights 111, 112, 113, a single green LED light 114 and three red LED lights 115, 116, 117. In a preferred embodiment, when the milk in the bottle is just too cool for a baby to comfortably drink, one blue LED will illuminate to indicate the cold temperature state of the bottle. Suitably, this is blue LED light 113 which is located next to green LED light 114. As the blue LED light 113 that is next to the green LED light 114 illuminates, this indicates that the temperature of the milk and the bottle is just below the optimum drinking temperature. As the temperature of the contents of the bottle cools further, or if the temperature of the contents of the bottle is more significantly cooler than the optimum temperature, the second blue LED light 112 and then the third blue LED light 111 will also illuminate. Therefore, if the bottle is far too cool to drink, all three blue LED lights 111, 112, 113 will be illuminated.

[0057] When the milk in the bottle is at an optimum drinking temperature, the single green LED light 114 will illuminate.

[0058] When the temperature of the milk in the bottle is slightly above the maximum optimum drinking temperature of 37.5 C., one red LED light will illuminate. Suitably, this is red LED light 115 that is located next to green LED light 114. When this red LED light 115 illuminates by itself, it indicates that the temperature of the contents of the bottle is just slightly too warm for drinking. If the temperature of the contents of the bottle is more significantly warmer, LED light 116 and possibly LED light 117 will also illuminate. If the temperature of the bottle is far too warm for drinking by a baby, all three red LED lights 115, 116, 117 will illuminate. The higher the temperature state of the bottle, a greater number of red LED lights will illuminate.

[0059] If the processor determines that the temperature of the contents of the bottle is increasing (for example, because the bottle has just come out of the microwave oven and hot parts of the liquid are stained to spread throughout the entire contents of the bottle) all LED lights (red, green and blue) will illuminate at the same time if there is an uneven heating of the temperature state of the bottle. Alternatively, to provide an even greater visual waring to the user of the bottle, if the processor determines that the temperature of the contents of the bottle is increasing, all of the LED lights (red, green and blue) will intermittently flash on and off to serve as a prominent visual warning to the user of the bottle that the temperature of the bottle is increasing and the contents of the bottle may be too hot for a baby to drink.

[0060] With reference to FIG. 4, in another embodiment, the one or more indicators 111-117 provides a different indication from the indication of the temperature of the bottle if the temperature of the bottle is increasing as a result of uneven heating. For example, if the temperature of the bottle is increasing as a result of uneven heating, the one or more indicators may display a different colour from the first, second or third colour used to indicate respectively the temperature state of the bottle is too high, optimum, or too low. For example, one or more indicators 111-117 can display a different colour from the colour usually displayed to indicate temperature. For example, indicators 111-113 display a blue colour to indicate temperature states below a safe temperature, but can display, e.g. yellow to indicate that the temperature of the bottle is increasing as a result of uneven heating.

[0061] In other embodiments, the different indication may be one or more of an audible alarm emitted by the loudspeaker 108, a vibration created by the vibration device 109, or a different indication on a display screen 110, such as an LCD screen, as shown in FIG. 1. It will be appreciated that the display screen 110 can be located anywhere on the housing 101.

[0062] In another embodiment, if the temperature of the bottle is increasing as a result of uneven heating, the one or more indicators do not display any temperature indication. For example, if the one or more indicators are in the form of an array of LEDs, such as blue, green, red LEDs as described above, in this embodiment, none of the LEDs display a colour. In this embodiment, the apparatus does show any temperature indication to the user if the final temperature state is unclear. For example, if the one or more indicators are in the form of an array of blue, green and red LEDs as described above, showing that the current temperature reading of the bottle is both too cool (blue light) and that the temperature is rising, a tired parent or guardian might infer that the current temperature reading of the bottle is fine on the basis that the temperature might rise a small amount and then be ideal.

[0063] With reference to FIG. 4, in a further embodiment, if the temperature state of the bottle is increasing, but the temperature state of the bottle is already over a certain set point or threshold, which indicates the bottle is already far too hot, the one or more indicators do not indicate a rising temperature state, but a maximum temperature indication. For example, if the one or more indicators are in the form of an array of blue, green and red LEDs as described above, in this embodiment and situation, the LEDs do not show the rising temperature warning light, but instead illuminate the maximum temperature red LED 117 intermittently, i.e. flashing or blinking. In another embodiment, two or more of the red LEDs 115-117 can be illuminated intermittently, i.e. flashing or blinking, to provide the maximum temperature indication. The reason for this is because the warning light would otherwise continue to illuminate (whilst not showing a temperature) for potentially a very long time, but the net result is that the bottle is far too hot. Therefore, it is preferable to clearly show the user that status sooner, rather than the user waiting for the temperature of the bottle to level off.

[0064] Unlike prior art temperature indicators, embodiments of the present invention can provide a warning to mothers that the temperature of milk in a bottle is increasing, even if the thermometer in the apparatus indicates that the instantaneous temperature of the bottle is in a suitable range for drinking by a baby. If the temperature of the milk in the bottle is increasing, this can potentially lead to a baby drinking milk that is far too hot. The present invention, by providing an indication that the temperature of the bottle is increasing, allows the mother to wait for a period of time until the temperature of the bottle has stabilized and moved to an optimum temperature for drinking. This provides for enhanced safety to the baby and greater ease of mind to the mother. It also protects against any lag effects in measuring the temperature of the milk in the bottle.

[0065] In the present specification and claims, the word comprising and its derivatives including comprises and comprise include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0066] Reference throughout this specification to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases in one embodiment or in an embodiment in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0067] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.