Closure device for bottles and bottles

Abstract

Closure device for drinking bottles (2), which has a closure body (4) for closing the drinking bottle (2), which is designed in such a way that it can be placed in or on an opening of the drinking bottle (2) in order to close it, wherein the closure body (4) has a sensor device (24, 30, 32) and wherein the sensor device (24, 30, 32) is designed in such a way that a component of a liquid that can be absorbed in the drinking bottle (2) can be determined, characterized in that the sensor device (24, 30, 32) has an optic (24), a light source (30) and a light sensor (32) for detecting the light emitted by the light source (30), wherein the light of the light source (30) can be radiated via the liquid to the light sensor (32) in order to determine the component, wherein the optics (24) have a receiving space (44) for the liquid, which is arranged in the light path between the light source (30) and the light sensor (32); wherein the optics (24) are designed such that they refract the light emitted by the light source (30), wherein the light sensor (32) is configured to determine a refractive index of the optics (24) on the basis of the detected light, and wherein the refractive index is dependent on the component to be detected in the liquid arranged in the receiving space (44) of the optics (24).

Description

Field of the InventionThe invention relates to a closure device, in particular for drinking bottles, and to a drinking bottle having a closure device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe device for determining the freshness of a wine stored in a container from US 2015 / 0 293 067 A1 is considered as the closest prior art. The device shown therein comprises a housing, a gas sensor, an optical sensor pair and electrical circuits. The gas sensor is fixed to the housing so as to extend into a head space of the container above the wine. The optical sensor pair is positioned such that the optical sensor pair reaches the headspace above the wine. The electrical circuits are contained within the housing and electrically connected to the gas sensor and the optical sensor pair. The electrical circuits operate the gas sensor to generate a series of gas level measurements and operate the optical sensor pair to generate a series of optical transmission measurements. Based on the series of gas level measurements and the series of optical transmission measurements, a quality parameter is determined which corresponds to the freshness of the wine.From the prior art, a plurality of drinking bottles are known in which a liquid can be absorbed. For example, a sugar-containing beverage can be provided as the liquid for sportsists. The sugar content can affect the performance of the sporter when consuming the beverage. As such, it is helpful to have information about the sugar content of the beverage.Disclosure of the InventionIn contrast, the object of the invention is to determine a component of a liquid in a bottle, in particular a drinking bottle, in a simple and cost-effective manner from a device standpoint. It is also the object of the invention to provide a drinking bottle with which a component in a liquid can be determined in a simple and cost-effective manner from a device standpoint.The object with regard to the determination is achieved according to the features of claim 1 and with regard to the drinking bottle according to the features of claim 8.Advantageous further developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.According to the invention, a closure device for bottles, in particular drinking bottles, is provided. This has a closure body for closing the bottle, which is designed in particular such that it can be placed in and / or on an opening of the bottle. The closure body has a sensor device, wherein the sensor device is configured such that a component of a liquid or fluid that can be absorbed in the bottle can be determined via the latter.This solution has the advantage that a component, for example a sugar content, of the liquid in the bottle is easily detected by connecting the closure device to an opening of the bottle. The closure device can serve, for example, as a replacement for a conventional closure or cover, with the result that a bottle can be retrofitted with the closure body.By means of the sensor device, for example, a sugar content of the liquid can be determined as a component. This is extremely advantageous when using the closure device in a drinking bottle, in particular in the sports sector.The sensor device is preferably designed as a module.The sensor device has an optics, a light source and a light sensor for detecting the light emitted by the light source. The optics are arranged in the light path between the light source and the light sensor. In other words, the optics are arranged between the light source and the light sensor and can be transmitted by the light. The optics also has a receiving space for the liquid, which is located in the beam path of the light. In the assembled state of the closure body in the bottle, this can be connected, in particular fluidically, to a bottle chamber, in particular for introducing liquid into the receiving chamber, in particular in order to carry out a measurement on the liquid. If the closure device is used as a lid in a drinking bottle, liquid can flow from the bottle chamber into the receiving chamber simply by "placing it upside down" of the drinking bottle, for example, and a measurement can be carried out.Advantageously, an evaluation unit is provided and is configured such that it determines the constituent, in particular the sugar content, of the liquid via the light detected by the light sensor. The evaluation unit can be part of the closure device and / or can be connected to the closure device via cable or cable-less. It is also conceivable for the evaluation unit to be provided on a tablet or smartphone.The optics are designed such that they diffract the light emitted by the light source. The light sensor is configured to determine a refractive index of the optics based on the detected light. The refractive index is dependent on the component to be detected, for example. Sugar content is present in the liquid which is arranged in the receiving space of the optic.In other words, the light guidance through the optic is influenced by the sugar content and / or another constituent of the liquid located in the receiving space. The light transmission thus changes depending on the sugar content. The different light guidance is preferably detectable by the light sensor, whereby the sugar content can be deduced.The light sensor preferably comprises a plurality of photodiodes. A respective photodiode can detect light at a respective refractive index and / or refractive index range and / or a respective light guide of the optics. In other words, the photodiodes are arranged next to each other and / or adjacent to each other in such a way that one of the photodiodes can detect light from the light source. The light preferably radiates in a beam path, the course of which is dependent on the liquid, in particular on the sugar content of the liquid. A respective photodiode can thus be provided for a specific sugar content or sugar content range.The optics are preferably configured such that a main beam axis of the light path emerging from the optics lies in a beam plane. The main jet axis changes its direction in the jet plane preferably depending on the constituent, in particular the sugar content, of the liquid. The light sensor, in particular the photodiodes, is advantageously arranged in the beam plane or at least adjacent to the beam plane. The main emission axis thus travels along the light sensor, in particular along the photodiodes, depending on the component.The photodiodes are preferably arranged as an array or matrix. The arrangement is further preferably effected in such a way that at least in a specific range of the content of the constituent, in particular of the sugar content, always one of the photodiodes captures the light or always one of the photodiodes measures the greatest luminous flux. The evaluation unit recognizes which photodiode detects the light or measures the greatest luminous flux and from this it is concluded that the sugar content is present.The optics can be designed, for example, as a prism that is designed such that the refractive index is dependent on the component of the liquid. Thus, the flow path of the light can easily change depending on the content of the component, for example, the sugar content, and can be detected by the light sensor.Furthermore, the optical system is preferably designed in a simple and robust manner from a device standpoint as a block which has the opening for the receiving space on its side facing the liquid or the bottle space (in the assembled state).The optics can have a light entry surface for the light of the light source, which can be followed by a light exit surface to which the liquid can be applied via the receiving space, viewed in the radiation direction, wherein the light entry surface and the light exit surface can delimit a wedge space or the prism or at least a part of the prism.The light exit surface is preferably followed by a second light entry surface, which can be acted upon by the liquid via the receiving space, as viewed in the radiation direction, and which can be followed by a second light exit surface, as viewed in the radiation direction, wherein the second light entry surface and the second light exit surface delimit a wedge space or the prism or at least part of the prism.The light sensor can be arranged in the main emission axis of the light source.The light entry surface / s and the light exit surface / s are preferably arranged in the main radiation axis of the LQ.For example, the main emission axis can be refracted at the or a respective light entry surface and / or at the or a respective light exit surface.One or the first light exit surface and one or the second light entry surface can delimit the receiving space and preferably be arranged in a v-shape with respect to one another. Preferably, viewed in the beam path of the light, refraction of the light takes place at the transition between the prism and the receiving space, which refraction is dependent on the content of the constituent, in particular the sugar content. Thus, for example, the refractive index at the first light exit surface and the second light entry surface can be dependent on the content.The first light entry surface and / or the second light exit surface extend, for example, approximately perpendicularly or perpendicularly to the main emission axis of the light source. The surfaces may extend in a common direction.For example, the first light entry surface and the second light exit surface extend at a parallel distance from one another, wherein the first light exit surface and / or second light entry surface arranged in a v-shape are arranged therebetween. The prism and / or the wedge spaces is / are preferably formed symmetrically.The receiving space can be bounded, in addition to the first light exit surface and the second light entry surface, by a bottom wall and a side wall. Thus, the optics can be sleeve-shaped.The size of the receiving space can be selected such that it can be mechanically cleaned by conventional cleaning means, such as, for example, by a brush or by a tab.The closure device is preferably designed such that it can be cleaned in a dishwasher, for example at 40° C. or 50° C. or 60° C. or in a preferred temperature range.Further preferably, a printed circuit board can be provided which has the light source and the light sensor.Further components and / or electronic components, such as the control unit, can be arranged on the printed circuit board.The optical unit can extend away from the printed circuit board from a plate side facing away from the liquid and / or from the bottle space (in the assembled state). Preferably, the optical unit is connected to the printed circuit board in a form-fitting and / or materially bonded and / or force-fitting manner.The optic can have a collar in the region of the opening of the receiving space, which collar is disk-shaped and serves as a boundary for the bottle space of the bottle. The collar may have a circular periphery. On the side of the collar facing away from the liquid, the printed circuit board can be arranged. The printed circuit board can encompass the optical unit at least in sections or completely. The optic together with the collar can be formed from polycarbonate.In other words, the printed circuit board preferably has an optical opening through which the optical unit is guided. The printed circuit board has, for example, a plate side pointing towards the liquid and a plate side pointing away from the liquid. The optics project away from the plate side facing away from the liquid. The optical unit can have a radial collar or the collar which extends over the plate side facing the liquid, in particular completely, preferably in order to protect the printed circuit board from the liquid.The closure device may have a housing in which the sensor device is arranged, wherein the housing has a housing opening for the entry of the liquid into the receiving space.The housing can be bounded on the front and / or liquid side by the collar.The housing is, for example, approximately cylindrical or circular cylindrical in shape in order to insert it into a bottle opening. The housing can have a seal on the circumferential side and / or on the end side, which seal is designed in such a way as to seal a bottle into which the closure device is inserted, preferably in the assembled state of the closure device.The housing preferably has a thread or external thread on the circumferential side. This can cooperate, for example, with a thread or internal thread of the bottle and / or be brought into threaded engagement in order to connect the closure device to the bottle at least in a form-fitting manner.The closure device can have a further sensor or at least one further sensor, in particular a fill level sensor or time of flight sensor. This can preferably be provided on a collar side which is remote from the liquid and sense the liquid via the, in particular transparent collar or a transparent collar section.In addition, it is conceivable to integrate an acceleration sensor in the closure device, in particular in order to detect the bottle position. This could allow the measurement of the content or measurements of one or more other / other sensors / sensors to be carried out as a function of the bottle position.According to the invention, a bottle with the closure device according to one or more of the aforementioned aspects can be provided.The closure device is preferably provided at the top of the bottle.The receiving space of the closure device is preferably filled with liquid of the bottle by "turning the bottle upside down". The position of the bottle can be determined here, for example, by means of the acceleration sensor and, if it can be assumed that the receiving space is filled, in that this can be determined, for example, by the fill level sensor, a measurement of the constituent or content can be carried out.Brief Description of the DrawingsA preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a closure device according to an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of part of the closure device from FIG. 1 ; and FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a fill level measurement via the closure device.Detailed Description of the Preferred EmbodimentsFIG. 1 shows a closure device 1 which serves for closing a drinking bottle 2. The drinking bottle 2 is shown in a simplified manner by a dashed line. The closure device 1 has a housing 4 which has an approximately circular cylindrical basic shape. The housing 4 has an end face 6 pointing towards the bottle interior of the drinking bottle 2, in which an opening 8 is formed. Via this, liquid can flow from the bottle chamber of the drinking bottle 2 into a receiving chamber, which is explained in more detail below, of the closure device 1 in order to carry out a measurement on the liquid of the drinking bottle 2. A sealing ring 10 engages around an outer periphery of the closure device 1. If the closure device 1 is inserted or screwed into the drinking bottle 2, the sealing ring 10 seals an intermediate space between the closure device 1 and the drinking bottle 2, so that the drinking bottle 2 is sealed. The drinking bottle 2 is correspondingly adapted to the closure device 1 and / or vice versa. The sealing ring 10 extends, as viewed in the axial direction of the closure device 1, approximately starting from the end face 6 in the direction away from the latter. The housing 10 furthermore has a circumferential external thread 12, the external thread 12 being interrupted by at least one axial groove 14. The axial groove 14 completely intersects the external thread 12. On a side of the housing 4 facing away from the drinking bottle 2, a radial collar 16 is formed, which can limit a screw-in depth of the closure device 1 into the drinking bottle 2. The radial collar 16 is adjoined on its side facing away from the drinking bottle 2 by a grip rim 18.In other words, the closure device 1 has the housing 4 in the form of a screw closure body. An inner prism is accessible via the opening 8 for measuring a refractive index in order to determine a sugar content of a liquid provided in the drinking bottle 2 therefrom.At the end face 6, a sensor 20 in the form of a fill level sensor or TOF (TOF=Time of Flight) fill level sensor is provided. The end face 6 is formed by a transparent pane 22, behind which - i.e. on a side of the panes 22 facing away from the liquid - the sensor 20 is arranged. Via the disk 22, the sensor 20 can detect the fill level of the drinking bottle 2. The opening 8 is introduced into the disc 22.According to FIG. 2, a part of the closure device 1 from FIG. 1 is shown. The lens 22 is part of an optical unit 24 here. the lens 22 forms a collar of the optical unit 24 here. the optical unit 24 has, in addition to the collar 22, a block-like optical section 26 which has the opening 8. The optical unit 24 is connected-in particular fixedly-to a printed circuit board 28. In other words, the optical unit 24 can be designed as a polycarbonate cover with an inner prism.The circuit board 28 according to FIG. 2 has an opening through which the optical section 26 is guided. The printed circuit board 28, which is designed in the form of a disk, is then arranged opposite a disk side of the disk 22 facing away from the liquid of the drinking bottle 2 from FIG. 1. It would be conceivable for the printed circuit board 28 to be supported on this pane side or to be connected thereto, for example in a materially bonded manner. The sensor 20 from FIG. 1 is preferably arranged on the printed circuit board 28 on a side of the printed circuit board 28 facing the bottle interior of the drinking bottle 2. On a side of the printed circuit board 28 facing away from the pane 22, a light source 30 is provided. This is designed as a light emitting diode (LED) and forms a monochrome light source. Furthermore, a light sensor 32 is arranged on the printed circuit board 28. This is provided opposite the light source 30. The light sensor 32 is a photodiode array. A main emission axis of the light emitted by the light source 30 extends approximately parallel to the printed circuit board 28, and the light sensor 32 is fastened to a holding plate 34 extending perpendicular to the printed circuit board 28. The holding plate 34 is in turn firmly connected to the printed circuit board 28. The holding plate 34 has a large surface facing the light source 30, on which the light sensor 32 is fastened. The optics 24 with their optics section 26 are provided between the light sensor 32 and the light source 30. The optics has two wedge spaces 36, 38 or wedge portions. The wedge space 36 is bounded by a first light entry surface 40 which is arranged opposite the light source 30 and extends approximately perpendicular to the main emission axis of the light source 30. A first light exit surface 42 is connected downstream of the light entry surface 40, which together with the light entry surface 40 delimits the wedge space 36. The light exit surface 42 furthermore forms a boundary surface for a receiving space 44 which is formed within the optical section 26. The receiving space 44 is accessible via the opening 8 and is thus fluidically connectable / connected via the opening 8 to the interior of the drinking bottle 2 from FIG. 1. Furthermore, the receiving space 44 is delimited by a second light entry surface 46, which is arranged downstream of the light exit surface 42. The first light exit surface 42 and the second light entry surface 46 are arranged in a V shape with respect to one another. The second light entry surface 46 is in turn followed by a second light exit surface 48. The light entry surface 46 and the light exit surface 48 are arranged in a wedge-shaped or V-shaped manner and delimit the wedge space 38. The surfaces 40, 42, 46 and 48, viewed in cross section, form a W-shape and extend in a common direction, preferably perpendicular to the printed circuit board 28. Thus, light from the light source 30 can enter the optics 24, in particular the wedge space 36, via the first light entry surface 40 and can radiate into the receiving space 44 via the first light exit surface 42. The light propagates further through the liquid via the receiving space 44 and via the second light entry surface 46 into the wedge space 38 and via the latter through the second light exit surface 48 to the outside to the light sensor 32. A refractive index, in particular at the first light exit surface 42 and the second light entry surface 46, is thus dependent here on the sugar content of the liquid. Thus, a position of the light or light beam incident on the light sensor 32 changes depending on the sugar content. The position of the light beam can be detected by the sensor 32 and from this can then be deduced as to a sugar content via an evaluation unit. This is provided on the printed circuit board 28, for example, or connected to it wirelessly.For the sake of simplicity, no power supply of the electronic components is shown in FIG. 2. The components shown in FIG. 2 are preferably accommodated in a sealing manner in an interior space of the housing 4.According to FIG. 3, measured values of the sensor 20 from FIG. 1 are shown. In this case, an absolute height is compared with measured values. The content height is given in cm on the abscissa and the conversion to a height, likewise in cm, on the ordinate. An approximately linear course can be seen here.The closure device 1 from FIG. 1 can furthermore have an acceleration sensor, in particular a three-axis acceleration sensor, which is provided, for example, on the printed circuit board 28 from FIG. 2. Furthermore, a μ controller with Bluetooth (LE) may be provided on the circuit board 28. A lithium ion battery is suitable as the power source, for example. It would also be conceivable to provide charging electronics and further electronic components. The closure device 1, in particular the housing 4 and / or the grip rim 18, can be formed from plastic.A closure device for drinking bottles is disclosed, which has a sensor device. By means of the sensor device, a component of a liquid that can be absorbed in the drinking bottle can be determined.List of reference numbers:1 Closure device 2 Drinking bottle 4 Housing 6 End face 8 Opening 10 Sealing ring 12 External thread 14 Axial groove 16 Radial collar 18 Handle collar 20 Sensor 22 Disk 24 Optical system 26 Optical section 28 Printed circuit board 30 Light source 32 Light sensor 34 Retaining plate 36, 38 Wedge space 40 First light entry surface 42 First light exit surface 44 Receiving space 46 Second light entry surface 48 Second light exit surface 50 Measured values

Claims

Closure device for drinking bottles (2), which has a closure body (4) for closing the drinking bottle (2), which is designed such that it can be placed in or on an opening of the drinking bottle (2) in order to close it, wherein the closure body (4) has a sensor device (24, 30, 32) and wherein the sensor device (24, 30, 32) is designed such that a constituent of a liquid that can be absorbed in the drinking bottle (2) can be determined via said body, characterized in that the sensor device (24, 30, 32) has an optical unit (24), a light source (30) and a light sensor (32) for detecting the light emitted by the light source (30), wherein the light of the light source (30) can be radiated via the liquid to the light sensor (32) in order to determine the constituent, wherein the optical unit (24) has a receiving space (44) for the liquid, which is arranged in the light path between the light source (30) and the light sensor (32); wherein the optical unit (24) is designed such that it breaks the light emitted by the light source (30), wherein the light sensor (32) is designed such that a refractive index of the optical unit (24) is determined on the basis of the detected light, and wherein the refractive index is present in the liquid which is arranged in the receiving space (44) of the optical unit (24) as a function of the constituent to be detected.Closure device according to claim 1, wherein the receiving space (44) in the mounted state of the closure body (4) in the drinking bottle (2) can be connected to the bottle space bounded by the drinking bottle (2) in order to guide liquid into the receiving space (44) from the bottle space.The shutter device of claim 1, wherein the light sensor (32) comprises a plurality of photodiodes, a respective photodiode being provided for a particular index of refraction of the optic (24) and detecting light at that index of refraction of the optic (24).Closure device according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the optics (24) is designed as a block and / or prism.Closure device according to one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the receiving space (44) is bounded by a light entry surface (46) and a light exit surface (42), which lie in the beam path of the light emitted by the light source (30), wherein the light can be radiated from the light source (30) to the light sensor (32).Closure device according to claim 5, wherein the light entry surface (46) and the light exit surface (42) are set at an angle to one another.Closure device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein this is designed as a lid for the drinking bottle (2), by means of which the drinking bottle (2) can be closed and opened, and wherein the lid is designed in such a way that, in the closed state of the drinking bottle (2), it closes the latter in a sealing manner.Drinking bottle having a closure device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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