Tools for holding bottles

Abstract

An auxiliary device for holding a bottle, comprising: i) a circular ring frame 101 designed to be positioned on the neck of a bottle, wherein an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 is integrated into the frame 101 and paired with a processor to capture and process multiple images near the frame 101 and to determine the dimensions of the bottle neck; ii) a motorized iris diaphragm 201, which is integrated into the inner circumference of the frame 101 and is actuated by a built-in microcontroller to be closed / opened according to the determined dimensions of the neck in order to enclose the neck, wherein several suction units are arranged with the diaphragm 201 to adhere to the surface of the enclosed neck in a secure manner; iii) a solar sensor embedded in the frame 101 to detect the intensity of the sunlight reflected onto the bottle, wherein a vertical plate 103 is arranged on the outer circumference of the frame 101 by means of a motorized circular slide actuated by the microcontroller to move the plate 103 in order to align the plate 103 in the direction of the detected intensity in order to prevent heating of the liquid in the bottle; and iv) a motorized roller 104 wrapped with a belt and arranged on the outer circumference of the frame 101, the belt extending towards the opposite end of the frame 101 to allow a user access to the belt for carrying the secured bottle, wherein, if the user wishes to adjust the length of the belt, voice commands must be given to a microphone 105 integrated into the frame 101, followed by actuation of the roller 104 to unwind / rewind the belt according to the length specified by the user, thereby assisting the user in holding the bottle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an auxiliary device for holding bottles, which is capable of determining the dimensions of a bottle neck and securely enclosing the bottle without the risk of slipping or instability, and which allows hands-free carrying of the secured bottle, thereby increasing the convenience and comfort of the user, particularly in situations where carrying by hand is impractical or uncomfortable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Holding bottles is a fundamental aspect of daily life, facilitating hydration, comfort, and functionality in a variety of situations. During outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping, or biking, people rely on securely held bottles to stay hydrated and energized throughout their travels. Being able to easily access water or other beverages on the go increases comfort and safety during physical activities. Even in social settings, such as picnics, gatherings, or sporting events, carrying bottled beverages ensures that you and others can stay refreshed. It promotes social interaction and enjoyment by providing a convenient source of beverages that can be shared with friends, family, or teammates.

[0003] Conventional methods of holding bottles typically involve carrying them by hand, which indeed presents several limitations. First, carrying bottles by hand is cumbersome, especially when carrying multiple bottles or performing activities that require hands-free movement. This leads to discomfort, fatigue, and even strain on the hands and arms, especially when carried for extended periods. Therefore, there is a need to develop a device that allows hands-free carrying of bottles while ensuring stability, accessibility, and protection for the bottle contents.

[0004] US5664711A discloses a bottle holding device with a clamp for gripping a bottle or other container, defining a gripping axis, and a finger gripping arm projecting from the clamp in a direction transverse to the gripping axis. The gripping arm extends at least partially around at least one of the user's fingers to hold the bottle adjacent to the user's fingers in an easily accessible and stable position. While US'711 discloses a bottle holding device with a clamp for gripping a bottle or container and offers a solution for holding bottles, its functionality relies on manual gripping with the user's fingers, which does not provide optimal stability or comfort in all situations.

[0005] CN111717487A discloses a bottle holding device comprising two baffle plates arranged on two sides of a mesh belt and a plurality of curved plates positioned between the two baffle plates. The curved plates are made of soft materials, and one end of the curved plates is fixed to one side of the baffle plates. The two baffle plates are each provided with a plurality of curved plates, and the bending directions of all the curved plates are consistent. The baffle plates on the two sides are each provided with a plurality of soft curved plates, so that the flow rate of the ampoule bottle cannot be reduced while the speed of the mesh belt is not increased. By installing the curved plate, the space between the two baffle plates can be reduced, thereby increasing the extrusion force that the ampoule receives between the adjacent ampoule.At the same time, the extrusion force of the increase prevents the ampoule from breaking. The ampoule is located on the guipure edge, and the frictional force of the curved plate increases, solving the ampoule's problem. The guipure is located on both sides and takes place to allow easy emptying. CN'487 does describe a bottle-holding device that includes two baffles arranged on opposite sides of a mesh belt and several curved plates located between these baffles. It is designed to ensure that the flow of ampoule bottles is not obstructed while the speed of the mesh belt remains constant. However, issues such as hands-free carrying, adaptability to different bottle sizes, or protection from external factors such as sunlight are not addressed.

[0006] Many conventional bottle-holding devices have been developed, but they often come with limitations that compromise their practicality and versatility. Some conventional bottle-holding devices rely on manual gripping mechanisms, requiring users to hold the bottles by hand, which is cumbersome and limits mobility, especially in situations where hands-free carrying is desired.

[0007] To overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages, there is a need in the art to develop a device that provides a user-friendly solution for holding bottles in various situations. The proposed device offers hands-free carrying options to increase mobility and convenience, adaptability to accommodate bottles of various sizes and shapes, and protection from external factors such as sunlight to preserve the quality of the bottle contents. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The main object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that determines the dimensions of a bottle neck and securely encloses the bottle without the risk of slipping or instability, and that allows hands-free carrying of the secured bottle, thereby increasing the convenience and comfort of the user.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that includes thermal insulation to prevent the heating of the liquid inside the bottle, thereby helping to maintain the desired temperature of the bottle contents, thus ensuring optimal taste and quality over time.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that detects the intensity of sunlight and accordingly protects the bottle and its contents from prolonged exposure to sunlight, thereby preserving their quality and freshness.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that notifies the user when the detected sunlight intensity exceeds a threshold so that the user can move the bottle to another location.

[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon closer examination of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The present invention relates to an auxiliary device for holding bottles which ensures that bottles of various sizes and shapes are held securely without the risk of slipping or instability and which also ensures the proper attachment of the bottle to a solid surface.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an auxiliary device for holding a bottle comprises a circular ring frame designed to be positioned on the neck of a bottle, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit integrated into the frame to determine the dimensions of the bottle neck, a motorized aperture integrated into the inner periphery of the frame to be closed / opened according to the determined dimensions of the neck to enclose the neck, a plurality of suction units arranged with the aperture to adhere to the surface of the enclosed neck, a sun sensor embedded in the frame to detect the intensity of the sun's rays reflected onto the bottle, a vertical plate arranged on the outer periphery of the frame by means of a motorized circular slider,to shift the plate, to arrange the plates in the direction of the detected intensity to prevent heating of the liquid in the bottle, a motorized reel wound with a belt arranged on the outer perimeter of the frame, the belt being extended towards the opposite end of the frame to allow a user to access the belt to carry the secured bottle, a microphone integrated into the frame that allows users to enter voice commands.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises a flap arranged with the plate by means of a motorized hinge joint to impart a converging / diverging movement to the flap so that it can be positioned under the bottle to allow the user to place the bottle on the surface, wherein several suction cups are arranged on the flap to properly secure the bottle to the flap, the plate and the flap are made with a thermal insulation layer to prevent the heating of the liquid, a speaker configured with the frame to generate audio signals to notify the user to change the position of the bottle, a laser measurement sensor installed on the frame to determine the dimensions of the bottle, and a battery is configured with the device,to provide a continuous power supply for electronically operated components connected to the device.

[0017] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations are possible which would fall within the scope of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a bottle holder in a stowed state; and Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the proposed device in the unfolded state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The following description contains the preferred best mode for carrying out an embodiment of the present invention. It will be apparent from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0020] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms “comprising,” “comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with “including,” “with,” and “characterized by”) may be replaced by the respective partially closed terms “consists essentially of,” “consists essentially of,” and the like, or the respective closed terms “consists of,” “consists of,” and the like.

[0021] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to both the singular and the plural unless explicitly stated that only the singular is meant.

[0022] The present invention relates to an auxiliary device for holding bottles, which is capable of determining the dimensions of a bottle neck and securely enclosing the bottle without the risk of slipping or instability, and which allows hands-free carrying of the secured bottle, thereby increasing the convenience and comfort of the user, particularly in situations where carrying by hand is impractical or uncomfortable.

[0023] With reference to Fig. and Fig.a perspective view of a bottle holding device in the stowed state and in the unfolded state is shown, comprising a circular ring frame 101 designed to be positioned on the neck of a bottle, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 integrated into the frame 101, a motorized iris diaphragm 201 integrated into the inner periphery of the frame 101, a vertical plate 103 arranged on the outer periphery of the frame 101, a flap 106 arranged with the plate 103, and a microphone 105 integrated into the frame 101, a vertical plate 103 arranged on the outer periphery of the frame 101, a motorized reel 104 wound with a tape arranged on the outer periphery of the frame 101, a microphone 105 integrated into the frame 101, a flap 106, which is arranged with the plate 103, a plurality of suction cups 107,which are arranged on the flap 106, and a speaker 108 which is configured with the frame 101.

[0024] The device proposed here consists of a circular ring frame 101 designed to be positioned on the neck of a bottle. The frame 101 is constructed using lightweight and durable materials such as high-quality plastics, composites, or light metals such as aluminum or titanium. These materials ensure structural integrity while simultaneously making the device portable and easy to handle.

[0025] An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 is integrated into the frame 101 to determine the dimensions of the bottleneck. The imaging unit 102 comprises an image pickup assembly with an array of lenses that captures multiple images of the surroundings. The captured images are stored in a memory of the imaging unit 102 in the form of optical data. The imaging unit 102 also includes a processor integrated with artificial intelligence protocols, allowing the processor to process the optical data and extract the required data from the captured images. The extracted data is further converted into digital pulses and bits and transmitted to a built-in microcontroller connected to the device. The microcontroller processes the received data and determines the dimensions of the bottleneck.

[0026] A motorized iris 201 is integrated into the inner perimeter of the frame 101. This iris 201 is closed / opened according to the determined neck dimensions to enclose the neck. The iris 201 consists of a ring and a blade with several projections. The ring is provided with several grooves. The ring is equipped with a motor controlled by the microcontroller to rotate the ring at a specific speed, thus regulating the opening and closing of the iris 201 to enclose the neck.

[0027] A plurality of suction units (at least two suction units) are arranged with the opening 201 to adhere to the surface of the closed neck. The suction units are made of elastic, flexible material and have a curved surface that creates a negative pressure inside with respect to the ambient pressure, which facilitates the ability to securely attach to the surface of the enclosed neck.

[0028] A sun sensor is embedded in frame 101 to detect the intensity of the sun's rays reflected onto the bottle. The sun sensor operates using photodetectors that measure the intensity of sunlight in the surrounding area. The sun sensor consists of one or more photodetectors that receive the light coming from the sun. These photodetectors convert the received light into an electrical current, which is then processed by the microcontroller to detect the intensity of the sun's rays reflected onto the bottle.

[0029] A vertical plate 103 is mounted on the outer periphery of the frame 101 by means of a motorized circular slider, which is actuated by the microcontroller to move the plate 103. The motorized circular slider comprises a sliding rack and rail, such that the plate 103 is mounted over the racks, which are electronically operated by the microcontroller to move along the rails. The slider is driven by a DC motor, which is actuated by the microcontroller supplying the required electrical current to the motor.

[0030] The motor consists of a coil that converts the received electrical current into mechanical force by generating a magnetic field, so that the mechanical force provides the necessary energy for the rack to move the plate 103 in the direction of the detected intensity to prevent the liquid in the bottle from heating up. If the detected intensity exceeds a threshold, the microcontroller activates a speaker 108 configured with the frame 101 to generate audio signals that inform the user to change the position of the bottle.

[0031] A motorized roller 104 is wound with a strap located on the outer periphery of the frame 101, with the strap extending toward the opposite end of the frame 101 to allow a user to access the strap for carrying the secured bottle. If the user wishes to adjust the length of the strap, they must issue voice commands to a microphone 105 integrated into the frame 101. The microphone 105 acts as a transducer, converting sound waves into audio signals. The microphone 105 converts the user's input signal into an electrical signal and sends it to the microcontroller.

[0032] When the microcontroller receives the signals, it operates the roller 104 to rotate to unwind / wind the strap. The roller 104 is connected to a DC motor that supplies the roller 104 with the power required to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise to unwind / wind the strap. The motor consists of a coil that converts the received electrical current into mechanical force by generating a magnetic field, thus providing the power required for the roller 104 to rotate on its own axis and unwind / wind the strap according to the length specified by the user, thereby assisting the user in holding the bottle. If the user wishes to place the bottle, secured to the frame 101, on a rigid surface, the user must give voice commands to the microphone 105.

[0033] A flap 106 is connected to the plate 103 by means of a motorized hinge joint, which is actuated by the microcontroller to impart a converging / diverging movement to the flap 106 so that it can be positioned under the bottle. The motorized hinge joint consists of a pair of wings screwed to the surfaces of the plate 103. The wings are connected by a cylindrical element incorporating a shaft coupled to a DC motor to impart the required movement to the hinge joint.

[0034] Clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the shaft assists in opening and closing the hinge joint, respectively. Thus, the microcontroller actuates the hinge joint, which in turn moves the flap 106 beneath the bottle, allowing the user to place the bottle on the surface. Several suction cups 107 are arranged on the flap 106 to properly secure the bottle to the flap 106. Furthermore, the plate 103 and the flap 106 are provided with a thermal insulation layer to prevent the liquid from heating up.

[0035] A laser measurement sensor is installed on frame 101 to determine the bottle's dimensions. The laser measurement sensor uses laser technology to convert the physical measurement value into an analog electrical signal. The laser measurement sensor is designed for non-contact measurement based on the triangulation principle. Triangulation refers to distance measurement by angle calculation, with the sensor projecting a laser spot onto the bottle.

[0036] The reflected light falls on a receiving unit at a specific angle, depending on the distance. The sensor calculates the distance from the position of the light spot on the receiving unit and the distance from the transmitter to the receiving unit. This distance is then converted into an electrical signal and sent to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the electrical signal received from the sensor to determine the dimensions of the bottle. The microcontroller then operates a drawer assembly integrated into the plate 103 to enlarge / reduce the dimensions of the plate 103 to properly cover the length of the bottle.

[0037] The drawer assembly includes sliding racks and rails, such that the plate 103 is mounted over the racks, which are electronically operated by the microcontroller to move along the rails. In this way, the microcontroller actuates the drawer assembly. The drawer assembly is driven by a DC motor, which is actuated by the microcontroller by providing the required electrical current to the motor. The motor consists of a coil that converts the received electrical current into mechanical force by generating a magnetic field, such that the mechanical force provides the necessary energy to the racks to enable sliding movement of the plate 103 for extension / retraction, as required for proper coverage along the length of the bottle.

[0038] The device is connected to a battery to provide the required power for the electronically and electrically operated components of the device, including the microcontroller, electrically operated sensors, motorized components, and the like. The battery in the device is preferably a lithium-ion battery, which is rechargeable and recharges by deriving the required power from an external power source. The derived energy is further stored in the form of chemical energy within the battery, which, when needed, derives the required power in the form of electrical current from the components of the device to ensure smooth and proper functioning of the device.

[0039] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the circular ring frame 101 is designed to be positioned on the neck of a bottle, with the imaging unit 102 integrated on the frame 101 to determine the dimensions of the bottle neck. The motorized aperture 201 is integrated on the inner periphery of the frame 101 and is closed / opened according to the determined dimensions of the neck to enclose the neck. The sun sensor is embedded in the frame 101 to detect the intensity of the sun's rays reflected onto the bottle. The vertical plate 103 is arranged on the outer periphery of the frame 101 with the help of the motorized circular slider, which is actuated by the microcontroller to shift the plate 103 in the direction of the determined intensity to prevent heating of the liquid in the bottle.If the detected intensity exceeds a threshold, the microcontroller activates the speaker 108 to generate audible signals, alerting the user to change the position of the bottle. The flap 106 is connected to the plate 103 by means of a motorized hinge, which is actuated by the microcontroller to impart a converging / diverging movement to the flap 106, allowing it to be positioned beneath the bottle and properly secure the bottle to the flap 106. Furthermore, the plate 103 and the flap 106 are provided with a thermal insulation layer to prevent the liquid from heating up.The laser measurement A sensor is installed on the frame 101 to determine the dimensions of the bottle, whereupon the microcontroller actuates a drawer assembly integrated into the plate 103 to increase / decrease the dimensions of the plate 103 to properly cover the length of the bottle.

[0040] Although the scope of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 5664711A

[0004] CN 111717487A

[0005]

Claims

[1] An auxiliary device for holding a bottle, comprising: i) a circular ring frame 101 designed to be positioned on the neck of a bottle, with an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 102 integrated into the frame 101 and paired with a processor to capture and process multiple images in the vicinity of the frame 101 and to determine the dimensions of the bottle neck, respectively; ii) a motorized iris diaphragm 201 integrated into the inner periphery of the frame 101 and actuated by a built-in microcontroller to be closed / opened according to the determined dimensions of the neck to enclose the neck, wherein a plurality of suction units are arranged with the diaphragm 201 to adhere to the surface of the enclosed neck in a secured manner; iii) a sun sensor embedded in the frame 101 to detect the intensity of the sun's rays reflected onto the bottle, a vertical plate 103 being arranged on the outer periphery of the frame 101 by means of a motorized circular slider actuated by the microcontroller to displace the plate 103 in the direction of the detected intensity to prevent heating of the liquid in the bottle; and iv) a motorized pulley 104 wrapped with a strap and arranged on the outer periphery of the frame 101, the strap being extended towards the opposite end of the frame 101 to allow a user to access the strap to carry the secured bottle, wherein the user, if he wishes to adjust the length of the strap, must input voice commands to a microphone 105 integrated in the frame 101, followed by operation of the pulley 104 to unwind / rewind the strap according to the length specified by the user, thereby assisting the user in holding the bottle. [2] The device of claim 1, wherein in case the user wishes to place the bottle attached to the frame 101 on a solid surface, the user is prompted to give input voice commands to the microphone 105. [3] Device according to claims 1 and 2, in which a flap 106 is arranged with the plate 103 by means of a motorized hinge joint actuated by the microcontroller to give the flap 106 a converging / diverging movement to position it under the bottle to allow the user to place the bottle on the surface. [4] Device according to claim 1, 2 and 3, wherein a plurality of suction cups 107 are arranged on the flap 106 to fix the bottle on the flap 106. [5] The device according to claim 1, wherein the plate 103 and the flap 106 are made with a thermal insulation layer to prevent heating of the liquid. [6] The device of claim 1, wherein when the detected intensity exceeds a threshold, the microcontroller actuates a speaker 108 configured with the frame 101 to generate audio signals to notify the user to change the position of the bottle. [7] Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a laser measurement sensor determines the dimensions of the bottle, whereupon the microcontroller actuates a drawer assembly integrated into the plate 103 to increase / decrease the dimensions of the plate 103 to properly cover the length of the bottle. [8] The device of claim 1, wherein a battery is configured with the device to provide a continuous power supply to electronically operated components connected to the device.

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