Liquid container with tactile temperature and level sensing button

Abstract

We propose a container that can sense the temperature and remaining amount of liquid in a container by a method other than sight. This allows the temperature and remaining amount of liquid in the container to be sensed instantly and easily by touch. [Solution] The container is equipped with a sensory button that allows the user to check the temperature and remaining amount of liquid in the container by touch. The sensory button has thermal conductivity that is not affected by the insulating or heat-retaining properties of the container, and has a head that comes into contact with the tactile part, typically a finger, on the container wall and a leg that is located inside the container wall.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid container with a tactile temperature and level sensing button. [Background technology]

[0002] Existing liquid containers, such as cups, mugs, thermoses, and bottles, which are typically used for keeping drinks warm, often rely on vision to detect the amount of liquid remaining.When vision is not available, it is difficult to quickly and easily sense the temperature or amount of liquid remaining.

[0003] For example, visually impaired people may not be able to tell the temperature of the contents due to the container's heat retention or insulation properties, may accidentally drink a hot drink and get burned, or may spill something because they are unable to determine the appropriate amount.

[0004] Even healthy people may find it difficult to tell the temperature or remaining amount in the dark. Furthermore, for young children, the elderly, and people with dementia, it is difficult to judge the temperature or remaining amount by sight alone, so having multiple methods of perception can provide peace of mind and safety.

[0005] To meet these demands, methods have already been proposed for detecting the temperature and remaining amount of liquid in a container by means other than visual means. Examples are given below. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] Patent No. 7503022 provides a portable device, program, and method that simulates the movement of liquid in a container and transmits it to the user as a tactile sensation. This solution utilizes advanced specialized technology, envisioning environments such as simulation and virtual reality. However, the use of precision equipment such as memory, processors, and actuators results in high costs, and the pursuit of a corresponding return on investment and the specificity of the application are unavoidable. [Non-patent literature]

[0007] GRUS Voice Cooking Scale: A scale that tells you the volume by voice (2024 Product Catalog for the Visually Impaired, Japan Federation of Organizations of the Visually Impaired, Social Welfare Corporation, p. 17) When you place the item you want to weigh on the top tray, the weight will be announced aloud. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Existing technologies, including those mentioned above, can certainly sense the temperature and remaining amount in a container by using hearing and touch other than vision. However, these require complex devices and mechanisms and specialized equipment.

[0009] If there were a container that could be used quickly and easily, it could be expected to be used in a wide range of places, not only by the visually impaired, young children, and the elderly, but also in factories, shops, and other places. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To this end, we provide a container equipped with a sensing button that allows you to check the temperature and remaining amount of liquid by touch rather than by sight.

[0011] The sensing button has thermal conductivity that is not affected by the insulating or heat-retaining properties of the container, and has a head that comes into contact with tactile parts such as fingers on the container wall, and a foot inside the container wall.The sensing button can be installed in one or more locations that require sensing, depending on the application.

[0012] If the container is placed at any position and angle, the legs will come into direct or indirect contact with the liquid, transmitting the liquid temperature to the head outside the container.

[0013] The legs, which do not come into contact with the liquid, transmit the temperature of the space inside the container to the head, indicating that there is no liquid at that level, or that the space inside and the liquid are at the same temperature to the touch.

[0014] The container wall and the sensing button are tightly fitted together to prevent liquid from leaking from the container.

[0015] The head may be designed so that it can be distinguished by touch, and the tactile sensitivity, temperature level, and remaining amount can be identified by the shape, material, surface texture, and installation position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] The container of the present invention allows the temperature and remaining amount of liquid to be sensed instantly and easily by touch alone.

[0017] Since it requires no power source or tools other than the container, it is easy to use and maintain, and can be used instantly anywhere. It can also be installed in any shape of container and is inexpensive to make. Containers already in use can also be modified by adding a sensing button. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an overall view of a liquid container as an example of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the arrangement and function of the sensing button. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] By placing a sensing button on the outer wall, we have created a container that can instantly and easily communicate the temperature and volume of the liquid using only the sense of touch. [Example]

[0020] Figure 1 shows an example of a coffee cup as a liquid container according to the present invention, which has a plurality of sensing buttons (3) on its outer wall (2).

[0021] The sensing button (3) has thermal conductivity and can sense the temperature and remaining amount of liquid in the container by touching it with a finger.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the sensing button (3) is positioned so that it can be easily reached with the thumb and is curved to accommodate the range of motion of the thumb. This curve allows the button to be reached with a natural movement.

[0023] Therefore, it is possible to provide a container that can help visually impaired people, the elderly, young children, and people with dementia make decisions. [Industrial Applicability]

[0024] The industrial applications of a container that utilizes tactile sensation to instantly communicate the volume and temperature of a liquid to the user are numerous.

[0025] For example, it can be applied to liquid containers used in industrial production or commercial activities where visual judgment is not possible. [Explanation of symbols]

[0026] (1) Container (2) Exterior walls (3) Sensing button head leg liquid

Claims

[Claim 1] A liquid container with a head that contacts the tactile part on the container wall and a leg that is held inside the container wall, and with a plurality of sensing buttons that can distinguish tactile sensitivity, temperature level, and remaining amount by touching the head, and that can sense temperature and remaining amount by touch alone without relying on vision by using the sensing buttons with the head, The sensing button is a separate component from the container and is made of a material that transmits the liquid temperature from the base to the head on the container wall. - The container has a handle on the wall surface, and the plurality of sensing buttons are arranged in a row at a position where the heads of the sensing buttons can be touched with the thumb of the hand holding the handle, and the row is curved to match the range of motion of the thumb. A liquid container characterized by:

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