Communications: electrical – Systems – Timer control
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-28
2001-06-26
Pope, Daryl (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Systems
Timer control
C340S008100, C340S870030, C340S309300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252494
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a drink dispensing device, particularly to a device designed for dispensing of particular amounts of water or alternative fluids to an individual, and most particularly to a device which includes a timing function for prompting consumption at programmed intervals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dietary guidelines espoused by physicians and nutritionists suggest that to maintain optimum function, an individual ought to consume at least about 64 ounces of water or similar non-caffeine containing fluid per day. This amount is generally divided into eight or more 8 oz. glasses. It is suggested that this fluid be consumed at regular intervals throughout the day. Such a dosing regimen is reasonably convenient, and assures that adequate hydration of the human body is constantly maintained.
Problems arise, however, in remembering such details as the number of glasses already consumed, the time between servings and the amount of fluids consumed in each serving and in total throughout the day. Thus, individuals often tend to consume rather large quantities at one sitting in order to satisfy the daily requirements with the least amount of bother. The problem with this approach is that elimination of such large quantities often becomes problematic. Further, the rapidity of such elimination can actually be counter-productive to the goal of proper hydration, since fluid overloading coupled with rapid hydration can lead to abnormal levels of anti-diuretic hormone production, resulting in the body becoming somewhat dehydrated or electrolytically imbalanced.
The instant invention provides for a dispensing device containing volumetric measuring indicia for monitoring the amount of fluid currently contained in, or consumed from, the vessel; and a time monitoring device having multiple programming mode capability. Such capabilities enable the device to portray the current time, alert the consumer to the passage of a particularly desired time interval, e.g. 1, 2, 4 hours or the like; maintain a real-time summary of total fluids consumed, rate of consumption, time interval between consumption, and the like data.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
U.S. Pat. No: 5,644,298 describes a cup that measures the amount of water per serving and how many servings have been ingested in a day. A rotating bezel at the base or middle of the cup indicates the number of glasses that have been consumed, while the inside of the vessel has measuring lines to indicate the current amount of water contained in the glass. The bezel is surrounded by a jacket with a window that exposes only the current number of glasses consumed. Further, the glass is operated either manually or electronically. The electrical embodiment is composed of a pressure sensor that, when the glass is filled to the optimum 8 ounces, increases the number in the display window by one. This display informs the consumer of the amount of glasses of water that have been drunk thus far. The electrical version of the product is battery powered and may be reset or deactivated if desired.
U.S. Pat. No: 5,607,078 discloses a device that is also intended to count the amount of water that has been consumed in a given twenty-four hour period. Inside the vessel, are marks that measure the amount of fluids the glass contains. On the handle, there is a scale from 0-10 with a sliding indicator that portrays the amount of glasses that have been consumed thus far. This adjustment is done manually. U.S. Pat. No: 5,845,777 discloses a clear plastic cup that informs the user how many glasses of water they have drunk. A rotating bezel indicates the amount of fluids that have been consumed. A cover surrounds the bezel so that only the current number is revealed through a small window. There are second, third, and fourth embodiments of the invention where the number is portrayed in the bottom of the glass, on a lid, and in mid-glass respectively. All of these versions contain a covering so only the current number is exposed, and all are operated manually.
U.S. Pat. No: 5,313,439 discloses a medicine container that is intended to inform the user when it is time to take another dosage of their prescription. There are three embodiments of this invention. First, in the pill bottle form, a lid that contains a battery, an alarm (either audio or visual light), a timer, and circuit that directly connects to the bottle itself when closed (using the tamper resistant foil on top of the bottle to complete the circuit). Once the lid has been put into place on top of the bottle, the circuit is closed and the timer is activated. The timer will count down the hours until the user is to take their medication again, at which time the alarm is sounded or lit (depending on which type of alarm device the bottle contains). Another embodiment of the invention relates to pills that are contained in a foil wrapper.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is drawn to a drink dispensing device for dispensing particular amounts of water or alternative fluids to an individual. In a particular embodiment the device includes a timing function for prompting consumption at programmed intervals. In an illustrative, but non-limiting embodiment, the device includes a drinking glass or similar drinking vessel that is graduated by the inclusion of particular indicia, in the form of measuring lines, which inform the user of the amount of water currently contained within the cup. At the base of the glass, a programmable monitoring and timing device, for example a liquid crystal display module, may be incorporated integral with the glass, for example within its base, and can be set to indicate multiple functions such as the time of day, number of glasses drunk, and time interval therebetween. A timer, which can be set for a predetermined time interval, e.g. one, two, four hours or the like, provides the user with a means for gauging the rate at which they are ingesting fluids. When a preset time has elapsed, an alarm, either visual, e.g. in the form of blinking colored lights or similar visual indicators, or audible, e.g. a chime, buzzer or the like, alerts the consumer that the time has arrived to ingest additional fluid.
Alternative embodiments include a base which includes all monitoring and display functionality as taught above, wherein the base is adapted to receive a drinking glass or the like. A further embodiment is designed in the form of a coaster including interval and alarm monitoring functionality and adapted for resting a drinking glass or the like thereon.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the instant invention to inform a user of the period of time which has elapsed since they last ingested fluids.
It is an additional objective of the instant invention to provide a means for tracking the amount of fluid that is contained in each serving.
Still another objective of the instant invention is to provide the consumer with a means for recording the total number of times the vessel's volume has been ingested within a given period, e.g. one day.
Yet another objective of the instant invention is to provide a means for recording the total volume of fluid ingested within a given period.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4828551 (1989-05-01), Gertler et al.
McHale & Slavin
Pope Daryl
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