Smart Water Bottle with Air-Path Sip Detection and Real-Time On-Bottle Feedback

Abstract

A hydration bottle provides immediate, sip-synchronised feedback using an air-path sensing architecture. A one-way air inlet valve in fluid communication with the bottle interior is instrumented by a pressure-responsive sensor that produces an electrical sip-event when a user withdraws liquid. An electronic control unit drives on-bottle actuators—preferably LEDs that illuminate a light-diffusing flask—within a real-time window (exemplary ≤500 ms) of sip detection. Calibrated thresholds, filtering and optional orientation gating substantially prevent false triggers from shaking or slow ambient pressure changes. Preferred embodiments include a detachable base with an annular snap and gasket, a rechargeable battery and a USB-C interface; the LED module is disposed in the base to project light upward so the whole bottle glows. Secondary sensors may log consumption without affecting immediate actuation; connectivity and adaptive patterns are optional. (FIGS. 1-3.)

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 694,804, filed 14 Sep. 2024, entitled SMART WATER BOTTLE WITH REAL-TIME FLUID CONSUMPTION DETECTION AND ADAPTIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e).NOTICE OF ADDRESS CHANGE FOR PRIOR APPLICATION

[0002] The correspondence / applicant address associated with the above-identified prior application has changed from 1 / 53 OCEAN STREET, KOGARAH, NSW 2217. AUSTRALIA to 116 QUEEN VICTORIA STREET, BEXLEY, NSW 2207. AUSTRALIA. Applicant will update USPTO records accordingly.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The disclosure relates to fluid containers with intake-event sensing and actuator control, particularly water bottles that detect sip-induced pressure change in an air-inlet path and provide real-time on-bottle feedback.BACKGROUND

[0004] Timer-based reminders, post-hoc weight / level changes and motion / tilt heuristics are not temporally coupled to the act of drinking and can mis-trigger on handling. The drawings depict a configuration with a switched pressure sensor interfaced to a one-way air inlet valve at the flask and an LED module for on-bottle feedback, addressing immediacy and intake exclusivity. (See FIG. 2 vertical section A-A: over-moulded one-way valve coupled to a switched pressure sensor; FIG. 1 shows the LED module and annular snap / gasket.)

[0005] In practice, air-path instrumentation offers practical advantages over alternative approaches: weight or level sensors can require precise calibration and are susceptible to motion artefacts; liquid-path flow sensors add wetted components and may introduce head loss or cleaning complexity; and IMU-only triggers can be temporally decoupled from actual drinking and prone to false positives during handling. These observations motivate the air-path architecture described herein without limiting the scope of the claims (exemplary, non-limiting).SUMMARY

[0006] In one aspect, a container integrates (i) a one-way air inlet valve and (ii) a pressure-responsive sensor which outputs a sip-event at sip-induced ΔP / dP / dt. A sealed pneumatic interface provides airtight communication between the valve and the sensor while preventing liquid ingress; the interface is local to the valve-sensor region and is distinct from the mechanical base coupling (annular snap). An ECU actuates on-bottle LEDs within a defined real-time window to reinforce drinking; the architecture targets behavioural reinforcement by providing feedback substantially contemporaneously with sip detection (exemplary ≤500 ms). Calibrated thresholds, high-pass filtering and optional IMU gating render events substantially sip-exclusive. Preferred structures include a detachable base with annular snap and gasket, USB-C charging, and a light-diffusing Tritan™ flask that presents a whole-bottle glow. (FIGS. 1-3.)BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 (horizontal sections): LED module and semi-transparent cover; base electronics; annular snap and gasket; air-path region between the valve and the sensor; USB-C location.

[0008] FIG. 2 (vertical section A-A): Tritan flask (˜450 mL), straw, over-moulded one-way valve integrated at the bottom region and switched pressure sensor in the base; a precision sealed interface providing airtight / watertight sealing at the valve-sensor coupling; LED module, battery, USB-C.

[0009] FIG. 3 (vertical section B-B): LED module in the base; battery and USB-C layout; gentle concave rear grip on the flask.List of Reference NumeralsNo.Part (spec)FIG(S).100Bottle assembly (overall)1-3110Flask (transparent / semi-transparent)2-3112Lid / cap2-3114Straw / spout2-3118One-way air inlet valve2120Drinking outlet (mouth / spout)2-3130Pressure-responsive sensor2140LED module (ring)1-3142LED diffuser / cover1150Detachable base1-3152Annular snap interface (mechanical coupling)1-3154Gasket / O-ring2156Sealed pneumatic interface (valve-sensor2coupling; distinct from 152)158Sensor port / nozzle coupled to sensor2160PCB / ECU2-3162Microcontroller (MCU)1164Rechargeable battery2-3166USB-C charging interface1-3170Optional motion sensor (IMU)Not shown172Optional ambient-light sensorNot shown180Optional audio transducerNot shown182Optional haptic motorNot shownDETAILED DESCRIPTIONDefinitions

[0010] Real-time means that energisation of at least one feedback actuator begins not later than 500 ms (preferred 10-300 ms, exemplary and non-limiting) after a sip-event threshold crossing.

[0011] A sip-event is detected when a pressure signal satisfies |ΔP|≥P_th (exemplary 50-300 Pa), |dP / dt|≥R_th (exemplary ≥150 Pa / s), and duration ≥20-50 ms; firmware applies high-pass filtering (time constant 5-200 ms, exemplary), hysteresis and a refractory interval (exemplary 300-1000 ms).

[0012] A one-way air inlet valve admits ambient air to equalise pressure during drinking while substantially preventing liquid egress.

[0013] A sealed pneumatic interface is a discrete port / seat / gasket or equivalent structure, local to the valve-sensor region, that establishes airtight communication between the air-inlet valve and a pressure communication port coupled to the pressure-responsive sensor while preventing liquid ingress; it is distinct from the annular snap mechanical coupling that retains the base.1. Overall Architecture

[0014] Assembly 100 includes flask 110, lid 112 with straw 114, and detachable base 150 coupled by annular snap 152 and gasket 154 to provide robust mechanical attachment. The base houses PCB / ECU 160 with MCU 162, battery 164, USB-C 166, and LED module 140 under diffuser 142. Light projects upward so the flask glows. (FIG. 1, FIG. 2.)2. Air-Path Sip Detection and Calibration

[0015] A one-way valve 118 communicates with the interior chamber. A sealed pneumatic interface 156, incorporating a valve seat in a bottom region of the flask and a sensor port 158 in the base, provides airtight communication to a pressure-responsive sensor 130 while preventing liquid ingress. Embodiments of sensor 130 include a diaphragm-actuated micro-switch or a piezoresistive transducer. The annular snap 152 mechanically couples the base and is separate from interface 156. (FIG. 2.)

[0016] Calibration routine (exemplary, non-limiting). During factory calibration, the ECU executes a scripted vacuum profile to set P_th and R_th; in use, an adaptive routine refines thresholds from recent events while bounding changes to avoid drift. The pressure channel triggers a hardware interrupt, placing the MCU in an event-handling state that timestamps the event and energises LEDs within the real-time window. Anti-spoof gating uses high-pass filtering, hysteresis, a duration minimum and a refractory interval; an optional IMU 170 enforces a drinking-orientation window. A transport mode raises the dP / dt floor to reject slow cabin-pressure drifts.3. Feedback Subsystem

[0017] LED module 140 is driven by ECU 160 to output a pulse, chase or glow for 0.2-2.0 s (exemplary). Optional audio 180 and haptic 182 may be co-driven. Ambient-light sensor 172 may scale intensity; a night mode reduces luminance. (FIG. 1 shows the LED cover and module.)4. Power and I / O

[0018] Battery 164 powers the ECU via regulated rails; USB-C 166 supports charging and is located to avoid sharp curvature (FIG. 2). The ECU normally sleeps and wakes on the hardware interrupt from sensor 130; sip-synchronised actuation is local irrespective of any wireless connection.5. Mechanical Details

[0019] Annular snap 152 with gasket 154 enables repeated removal for cleaning while maintaining mechanical integrity; the pressure seal for AirPath sensing is provided locally by sealed pneumatic interface 156, not by the annular snap. FIG. 3 illustrates a concave rear curvature to aid grip. The base exterior may be rubberised for impact resistance and non-slip placement.6. Exemplary Operation

[0020] When a user draws liquid via straw 114, internal pressure drops; valve 118 admits air; the transient pressure / airflow is conveyed through sealed interface 156 to sensor 130, which outputs a sip-event; ECU 160 drives LED 140 within the specified latency, then enforces a refractory window while optionally logging a time-stamp. (FIG. 2.)7. Variants

[0021] Sensor placement may be in the base (preferred), lid or a straw manifold with pneumatic coupling to the valve. Sensor type may be diaphragm micro-switch, MEMS barometer, turbine / optical flow, capacitive level or acoustic. Feedback may be visual only (preferred) or visual plus audio / haptic. Capacities from 300-700 mL are contemplated; ˜450 mL is depicted. (FIGS. 2-3.)EXAMPLES / VARIANTS (EXEMPLARY)

[0022] 1. Quiet office: LED pulse 200 ms after sip; ambient-light dimming; no audio.

[0023] 2. Child mode: 700 ms rainbow chase; refractory 500 ms; IMU gating.

[0024] 3. Transport mode: Raised dP / dt floor to reject cabin drift; true sips still detected.

[0025] 4. Analytics: ECU timestamps events; optional app visualises patterns; bottle operates stand-alone.INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0026] Applicable to consumer hydration, adherence tools and occupational / athletic settings; detachable base improves hygiene; air-path sensing yields low power with zero added liquid-path resistance. (FIGS. 1-3 show manufacturable structure.)

Claims

1. A smart hydration system, comprising: a fluid container defining an interior chamber and a drinking outlet; a one-way air inlet valve in fluid communication with the interior chamber, the valve configured to admit ambient air when a negative pressure is produced by withdrawal of liquid through the drinking outlet; a sealed pneumatic interface arranged between the one-way air inlet valve and a pressure communication port coupled to a pressure-responsive sensor so as to provide airtight pneumatic coupling while preventing liquid ingress; a pressure-responsive sensor in signal communication with the pressure communication port and arranged to produce an electrical sip-event signal in response to a pressure change and / or airflow caused by drinking; an electronic control unit (ECU) powered by a battery and in signal communication with the pressure-responsive sensor; and at least one on-bottle visual feedback device comprising one or more light-emitting elements visible on or through the container; wherein the ECU is configured, upon receipt of a sip-event signal satisfying calibrated criteria including at least a pressure-change threshold and a minimum event duration, to drive the visual feedback device within a real-time window not exceeding 500 milliseconds from a sip-event threshold crossing so as to provide perceptible feedback temporally correlated with the drinking action.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure-responsive sensor comprises a diaphragm-actuated micro-switch positioned adjacent the one-way air inlet valve such that airflow through the valve directly deflects the diaphragm to produce the sip-event signal.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure-responsive sensor comprises an electronic pressure transducer sampling at at least 100 Hz and the ECU applies high-pass filtering, hysteresis and debounce to reject slow environmental pressure changes.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a motion sensor, the ECU being configured to require that the container is within a drinking-orientation window during at least part of the sip-event duration.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a detachable base coupled to the container by an annular snap interface with a gasket, the base housing the ECU, the battery and the light-emitting elements.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the sealed pneumatic interface is discrete from the annular snap interface and comprises a port-and-gasket seat in a lower region of the container that mates with a sensor port on the base to maintain airtight pneumatic communication between the valve and the pressure communication port.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the light-emitting elements are disposed in a ring within the base and project light upward through the container.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein energisation of the visual feedback device is initiated by a hardware interrupt generated by the pressure-responsive sensor.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the ECU logs time-stamped sip-events and optionally estimates per-sip volume using a secondary sensor selected from a flow sensor, a level or weight sensor or a capacitive level probe.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the ECU includes an ambient-light sensor and adjusts visual feedback intensity according to environmental light level and / or a night mode.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the one-way air inlet valve and the ECU implement a transport mode in which a dP / dt floor is raised to reject slow ambient pressure changes without generating sip-events.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the real-time window is between 10 milliseconds and 300 milliseconds and the sip-event minimum duration is at least 20 milliseconds.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the pressure-responsive sensor is disposed in a lid or straw manifold and is pneumatically coupled to the one-way air inlet valve.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one of an audio transducer and a haptic motor driven concurrently with the visual feedback.

15. A method of providing intake-exclusive, real-time feedback to a user drinking from a container, the method comprising: admitting air through a one-way air inlet valve into the interior chamber of the container during withdrawal of liquid through a drinking outlet; conveying a sip-induced pressure change and / or airflow through a sealed pneumatic interface to a pressure communication port coupled to a pressure-responsive sensor; generating a sip-event signal when the sensed signal satisfies calibrated criteria including at least a pressure-change threshold and a minimum event duration; and driving at least one on-bottle visual feedback device within 500 milliseconds of the sip-event so as to provide feedback temporally correlated with the drinking action.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising applying a high-pass filter with a time constant between 5 ms and 200 ms, enforcing a sip-event minimum duration of at least 20-50 ms, and imposing a refractory interval of 300-1000 ms to suppress retriggering during continuous gulping.

17. A fluid container assembly comprising: a transparent or semi-transparent flask having an opening for a drinking outlet; a detachable base housing a printed circuit board, a rechargeable battery and a light-emitting device; an annular snap interface with a gasket coupling the base to the flask to provide mechanical attachment; a one-way air inlet valve located in a lower region of the flask; a sealed pneumatic interface comprising a valve seat aligned to a sensor port in the base so that, when the base is coupled to the flask, the valve is in airtight pneumatic communication with a pressure-responsive sensor within the base; and a USB-C charging interface accessible on the base; wherein activation of the pressure-responsive sensor in response to sip-induced pressure change causes the light-emitting device to illuminate the flask.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the sealed pneumatic interface is distinct from the annular snap interface and includes a port-and-gasket arrangement that prevents air or water bypass at the valve-sensor coupling.

19. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the light-emitting device is arranged as a ring within the base and the flask serves as a diffuser to create a whole-bottle glow.

20. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the base includes a keyed interface that mates with a valve-sensor cartridge to maintain pneumatic alignment and sealing.

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