Patent Application
20220165114
The present disclosure refers to a system and method for the supply and/or acquisition of products in bulk, which allows users of the system to obtain either at a fixed supply point or at a mobile supply point, one or more products in a required amount through one or more containers.
Said disclosure solves several problems of the current technique, which become evident when evaluating the existing solutions and the specific characteristics of the disclosure in the following sections of this document.
Currently, there are various solutions associated with dispensing of products with vending machines known as “vendomáticas” being the most widely used in the industry. However, said vending machines are mainly used for the dispensing of allowing the user to select the amount of products to be dispensed by the machine.
In view of the above, U.S. Pat. No. 8,712,585B2 proposes a vending machine comprising the option of dispensing bulk products stored in containers of different sizes and types which are located inside the machine. The machine allows the selection of different amounts of products to be dispensed, products that are transported from the corresponding containers to complete the required amount of product and that are mechanically transported to a final disposable container. For this purpose, the machine of the U.S. Pat. No. 8,712,585B2 comprises a complex design and configuration comprising multiple containers with the products to be dispensed and disposable final containers to be delivered to the user. Furthermore, the machine comprises conventional means of payment using monetary and/or card transactions, which complicates the operation by the user.
In this context, the need arises to have a system and method for the supply and acquisition of bulk products which is simple in construction and logistics, user-friendly, and which avoids the use of disposable containers, being also friendly with the environment. Furthermore, also there is a need to facilitate the payment means for bulk products in vending machines freeing the user from handling money or cards, which must commonly use to activate the dispensing of products in current machines.
The present disclosure refers to a system and method for the supply and acquisition of bulk products which allow the user to obtain either by approaching a fixed supply point or by coordinating the visit of a mobile supply point in a predefined location, one or more products in a required amount through one or more containers.
This system and method solves several problems associated with the supply of products of different kinds but focusing on sensitive products such as food or chemicals. One of these problems disused products or disposing of unused products because their consumption date expired or because their use is no longer necessary.
The present disclosure takes care of this problem by means of a special dispenser of bulk products with the capacity to dose the amount of product to be dispensed according to the specific requirements of each user.
Another problem that the disclosure solves is related to the acquisition of multiple containers or packages each time a user wants to resupply one or more products. This can be seen typically in supermarkets, warehouses and basically in most places where products are sold wherein each product is presented in a container or package and in multiple formats for specific amounts. This entails an accumulation of containers in the form of waste which are mostly made of plastic or derivatives which is an unfriendly material with the environment due to its extremely long decomposition time.
The present disclosure takes care of this problem by means of a set of devices and technical elements that allow the reuse of containers or packages avoiding the accumulation of these taking advantage of the long useful life of their manufacturing materials and reducing the carbon footprint associated with their manufacture, among other advantages associated with avoiding the unnecessary use of containers through the implementation of technology.
Additionally, the system and method of the present disclosure solve a problem associated with the manipulation of the vending machine particularly the user need to have means of payment and handling cash or cards at the supply point. This entails different problems, including the fact that it makes the operation of the machine more complex requiring the operation of the means of payment and simultaneously operating the dispensing means and/or containers and also it exposes the user to security risks associated with the user data comprising an available account balance among others. Therefore, the need to handle money or means of payment directly at the supply site is avoided, easing the operation of the machine and substantially reducing the risks to the user safety, for example, theft.
As previously mentioned, the present disclosure solves multiple problems, in addition to those previously discussed, problems that will become apparent by reading the special characteristics of the technology according to what is highlighted in the following paragraphs.
In its most essential aspects, the system for the supply and/or acquisition of the technology bulk products comprises:
wherein the identification and control module arranged in connection with the dispensing device is configured to initiate a communication session with the user identification element setting a communication link between at least one user identification
Furthermore, in its most essential aspects the disclosure comprises a method for the supply and/or acquisition of bulk products which comprises the following steps:
By means of the characteristics of the system and method described above it is possible to associate the dispensing of bulk product to a particular user through the use of a container and an identification element that are previously associated with each other and with the user data. To do this, the technology uses automatic data capture and identification devices (AIDC) associated with current and developing wireless communication technology platforms, such as the Internet of Things (IoT).
“Dispensing device” should be understood as any machine or apparatus for dispensing bulk products capable of storing one or more types of bulk product safely and avoiding contact with the user for its dispensation to the area of dispensing. Preferably, the dispensing device comprises a product storage container to be dispensed for each type of product, a dispensing nozzle for each type of product, as well as a dispensing area for each type of product arranged to receive a container.
“Identification and control module” should be understood as any device capable of communicating wirelessly with the user identification elements and communicating with the dispensing device by means of wired or wireless communication. The identification and control module comprises an “identifier element”, preferably, an optical reading device or emitter/receiver such as a light beam, a camera or a signal reader, for example, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or NFC (Near Field Communication) which can energize the user identification element, if required, and establish a communication session with said user identification element receiving or retrieving a communication signal with the data and information associated with the user identification element. The identification and control module comprises a control element that preferably comprises at least one control signals to the dispensing device, preferably, to the dispensing nozzles to control the dispensing of products.
“User identification element” must be understood as any means readable by the identification and control module either by means of a visual reading such as barcodes or QR codes or by means of an electronic reading of the sender/receiver type such as an RFID tag, magnetic strips, NFC. Preferably, the user identification element is of the passive type, that is to say, energized by the same identification and control module when placing close or in contact with an energization and reading zone comprising said module. Alternatively, the user identification element is of the active type, that is, it comprises an energy source that keeps said element energized. Preferably, the user identification element comprises an antenna that allows sending the information and data associated with it and/or that allows the retrieval of said data by the identification and control module. In the case of using visual reading by means of cameras or light beams, for example, the communication session between the user identification element and the identification and control module allows the latter to retrieve information and data through the use of visual information processing and/or by accessing said information and data redirecting it to a database stored in the system or in the network. Preferably, the user identification element is physically attached to the container or entirely arranged on at least one wall thereof.
By “container” is meant any container arranged to receive one or more bulk products from a dispensing device in a dispensing area thereof. Preferably, said container comprises a user identification element attached to or integrated therewith. Preferably, the container is a container specially arranged to receive a single type of product with one container for each product to be dispensed. Preferably, the container has a specially configured shape to be located in the dispensing area.
“User interface” must be understood as any platform such as preferences (preferred products, predefined product amounts, point of preferred sourcing, preferred means of payment, etc.), historical data and predictions (information on past purchases, trends and data about need prediction for a product) and account balance (monetary amount available for the purchase of products), among others. Preferably, access to the user account is made through one or two factor authentication. Preferably, the user account also includes product/container information and allows viewing/managing user identification elements and containers linked to the account.
“Product/container information” should be understood as any information associated with the type of product to be dispensed in a particular container understanding that there is such a restriction in the system. Preferably, the containers associated with a special type of product comprise special characteristics depending on the type of product they receive, for example, maintaining hygiene in food storage and favoring the control of sensitive or dangerous substances as in the case of storing chemicals such as detergents.
“User” must be understood as natural or legal persons, family groups, etc., who have a user account on the user interface with the ability to use the dispensing device either at a fixed supply point or at a mobile supply point.
Next, alternative embodiments of the technology are described based on the specific characteristics and the different capacities and advantages that it has compared to current technologies.
According to an embodiment of the disclosure, before locating the at least one container in the dispensing area, the system and method further comprise:
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise that the dispensing device is arranged at a fixed supply point such as a retail store or a high-flow area which is called fixed supply point, or in a vehicle that transports it through different supply points according to the above discussed embodiment.
This embodiment allows the user to go by his own means to the location of the dispensing device to dispense at least one product or to establish communication with the identification and control module of the dispensing device remotely, giving the possibility for the user to request the delivery of said dispensing device to a location established by the user to dispense one or more products associated with one or more containers or sending said dispensing device to the user current position saved by a location mechanism built into the user equipment such as a GPS.
In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise that the selection of at least one dispensing device from the available dispensing devices is automatically performed according to the location of the available dispensing devices and the user location through the user interface. To do this, the technology has a shorter route selection and calculation mechanism to select the dispenser and optimal routes based on the location of the multiple dispensers and the user location either to guide the user to the location of the
one dispensing device from the available dispensing devices is made automatically according to the type of product required by the user based on the user data.
This allows the user to authorize the user interface to automatically locate the dispensing device that it deems most appropriate to the user needs in terms of product type and amount along with the user location and available dispensing devices.
In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise that the selection of at least one dispensing device from the available dispensing devices is made by the user when entering user data into the user interface where said user interface establishes a communication link between the user and the dispensing devices available for the user selection.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise that the predetermined location is determined by the user as part of the user's data or the predetermined location is the user's current location.
The two embodiments described above allow the user to choose the dispensing device from the available devices in addition to coordinating its delivery to any location entered by the user.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise a gate arranged on the edge of the dispensing area which separates said dispensing area from the outside environment. Said gate allows, among others, to avoid that at the time of dispensing some strange or unwanted element may enter the dispensing area, avoiding hindering or contaminating the product to be dispensed. This characteristic is particularly relevant for the dispensing of products sensitive to being in contact with the environment, for example, liquid edible products that can be easily contaminated permanently damaging the product and making it impossible to consume it or sensitive products such
least one container in the dispensing area, opening the gate to make the container enter the dispensing area.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise that once the container is located in the dispensing area and before the dispensing of the selected product begins, closing the gate once it is detected that no element is hindering its closure or that no different element from the container for the selected product is inside it.
With such a provision for using the gate, misuse of the dispensing device is prevented as well as protecting the user in the event of any failure in dispensing. In addition, the system and method of the disclosure integrates the operation of the gate to the dispensing process, giving rise to the dispensing of the product only once the correct presence of the container has been detected and once the gate has been properly closed. Similarly, although one embodiment of the gate contemplates a mechanism that ensures closure, preventing the user from opening it during the dispensing process, an embodiment without a closure mechanism or in the event that the closure mechanism is violated by a third party, the method and system of the disclosure makes it possible to instantly stop the dispensing of the product if the opening of the gate is detected from the outside.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise that the user identification element is arranged in the container either adhered to it or embedded during the container manufacturing process. Said configuration allows the container to be physically linked with the user data and ultimately to link the container with a product and associate it with a user account, wherein the user can link multiple identification elements to his account associated with different containers, in case multiple products are needed.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method also comprise incorporating additional equipment
product dispensing, in case such processes are required. In this context, the system and method of the disclosure is versatile and allows the integration of additional stages or sub-processes related to additional equipment either before and/or after the dispensing of products being incorporated into the process of the disclosure without altering the essential aspects thereof. The integration of the additional stages or sub-processes is carried out, according to one embodiment, by means of at least one identifier element incorporated into the additional equipment, identifying the user's container and incorporating said identification to the sub-process associated with the additional equipment.
According to a preferred option of said embodiment of the disclosure, before the step of locating at least one container in the dispensing area of the product dispensing device, the method further comprises the steps of:
Alternatively or in a complementary manner, after the step of removing the container from the dispensing area, the method further comprises the steps of:
In this way, the identification and control module controls the operation action of the at least one additional equipment as a function of the other stages of the method and/or integrates said operation action of the at least one additional equipment to any other stage of the method.
For example, the method and system can be configured to not dispensing any product in the event that the container to be used has not been sanitized by a sanitizing equipment associated with the dispenser, which can be verified by means of the identification element attached to the container which can store information regarding whether it has been sanitized or not, where when entering the dispensing area, it is read again by the identifying element to verify that said container has already been sanitized and is suitable for receiving the product selected by the user previously.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise to display dispensing information to the user by the dispensing device, for example, by means of a display device arranged therein where said dispensing information is related to the dispensed amount of the acquired products together with the account balance available to obtain products. This dispensing information displayed by the display device also may be displayed on some electronic device such as a computer, a cell phone or a smart TV, in which the user can enter
an account balance, predefined amount of products to be purchased, current amount of products purchased, expiration date of products purchased, among others. These data allow the user to know the current status of their products, in order to manage future refills or supplies, before any of their products run out.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise displaying the product/container information which contains one or a combination of at least one of the following information: maximum capacity data of the container preset by commissioned operators; data about the amount of product to be dispensed per container preset by the user; and data about the type of product to be dispensed per container, among others.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise the selection by the user of the product to be dispensed by the dispensing device and its amount, for example, by means of a dispensing interface in the dispensing device, for example, embedded in the display device. Optionally, the user may also make the selection of the product to be dispensed through an electronic device such as a computer, a cell phone or a smart TV, in which the user can enter the user interface with his access data.
In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method also comprise verifying that the user has a sufficient account balance in order to obtain the amount of the selected product where, in case of having an insufficient account balance, the user must be warned through the display device. If the user does have a sufficient balance the value corresponding to the amount of product must be deducted from the account balance corresponding to the user data stored in the user identification element.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the
data, each user can configure a means of payment for the automatic recharge of the account balance.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise providing additional information to the user by the user interface or on the display device, about the environmental contribution associated with the use of the system, for example, quantifying said contribution by means of the amount of greenhouse gases that have not been emitted into the environment. This additional information may be provided for different periods of time, by type of product, etc.
In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise storing a consumption record about the type of products selected by the user for his supply, the amounts dispensed in each of those selections, the time and place of supplies, as well as whether each dispensing occurred at a fixed dispensing point or if the dispensing device was moved to a user-defined location.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise providing consumption information to the user by the user interface and based on the consumption record, about the average consumption in a period of time for each of the products selected by the user for his supply where the period of time can be daily, weekly, monthly, or according to any measurement period allowing to set a range.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method also comprise alerting the user through the user interface and based on the consumption record, when the amount of any of the products purchased by the user is not enough to cover the needs of said user in a period of time.
In accordance with another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise that the user configures the user interface so that the alert is activated when the product
the dispensing device corresponding to the product causing the alert is automatically sent to the user's predetermined location. This embodiment allows to automate the delivery of products to the user thanks to the consumption record, which is enriched as the user supplies products over time and also thanks to the communication between the user interface and the identification and control module of the dispensing device.
The previous embodiments include the implementation of machine learning tools to predict the amount of product inside a container, all of which are in the user consumption record data avoiding the implementation of sensors and data analysis that make the system more expensive and more complex.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise allowing the user through the user interface to set dates, times and places to plan the supply of at least one product by the dispensing device.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method also comprise allowing the user through the user interface, to block the dispensing of one or more products which can be blocked for different identifier elements associated with his user account.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise allowing the user through the user interface, to limit the amount of one or more products to be dispensed for one or more identifying elements associated with his user account.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise allowing the user through the user interface, to manage one or more different user accounts.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method also comprise sensors arranged in the dispensing device associated with the state of products, these sensors allow
product amount parameter is under an established level or to take necessary measures in the event that any of the other parameters is out of their normal range.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method also comprise a control system arranged in the dispensing device, which allows to maintain predefined conditions related to the temperature, pressure and/or humidity measured by the sensors for each of the products it contains.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method further comprise an alert system arranged in the dispensing device which alerts the operator in charge in case one or more of the parameters of temperature, pressure, humidity and/or amount of product is below the previously set level.
According to another embodiment of the disclosure, the system and method also comprise the possibility to view the conditions obtained by the sensors through the display device, which can also display the expiration date of each of the products in addition to the registration number of each batch entered in the dispensing device, which allows to maintain the traceability of each product by the operator in charge.
Additionally, the technology allows the operators in charge to supervise the distribution chain of products in real time and online providing operator information that can be viewed by the operators in charge either through an operator interface in real time or through periodic reports. Thus, the operators in charge can maintain a control over the dispensing of products and can guarantee the quality of the products to be dispensed ensuring traceability and quality of the product from the time it is placed in the dispensing devices until it reaches the hands of the consumer. The operator information includes the above mentioned information about the state of the products, as well as information on the products themselves such as the batch or serial number and the expiration date particularly relevant in sensitive products
distribution chain avoiding losses of information that usually occur at the current points of sale. Preferably, the operator information is automatically collected and stored by the identification and control module arranged in communication with the dispensing device or devices for subsequent retrieval by operators in charge or for delivery in real time, to the operator interface by means of a network. Alternatively, the operator information is retrieved by one or more servers that recover and process information associated with each product dispensing, for example, accessing to the user accounts.
As part of the present disclosure, the following representative figures thereof are presented, which teach preferred configurations of the technology and, therefore, should not be considered as limiting the definition of the claimed matter.
disclosure as well as other applications derived from such primary use.
The disclosure has two processes that occur simultaneously as shown in
A new user (1) who wishes to use the system of this application must access the user interface (20) through an electronic device such as a cell phone, a computer, or one of the dispensing devices (30), to create a user account with user data allowing the user (1) to establish communication between their user account and the different identification and control modules arranged in the dispensing devices (30).
After creating the user account, the user (1) must purchase a container (10) in order to receive the products from the dispensing device (30). Said container (10) can be purchased from the same dispensing device (30) or at multiple acquisition points spread over kilometers around the dispensing devices (30).
Now, the user (1) only needs to ensure that there is a balance available in his user account which can be designed, for example, as an e-wallet to be able to carry out his first supply of products. Said balance can be recharged through the user interface (20) in one of the dispensing devices (30), or automatically by having an online payment method configured in the user account.
The user (1), through the user interface (20) establishes the product or products to be purchased and their amount, after which he must establish communication between the user interface (20) and the identification and control module of any of the dispensing devices (30). Once the user (1) physically meets the
If there is sufficient balance and product available the product is dispensed in the amount selected by the user (1). After this, the value of the recharge is deducted from the user (1) balance and the user (1) can remove the container (10) from the dispensing area.
On the right side of
Each of the dispensing devices (30) has sensors and alarms that allow the operators in charge to be notified when any of the products has a certain level predefined by the operator in charge, for which it is necessary to manage a refill.
However, regarding the system usage options, once the user (1) has obtained a user account and at least one container (10) he has two options:
1. The user from his location point
The user (1) can communicate with any of the dispensing devices (30) available in his area so that it can go through a
Preferably, this embodiment comprises an electric vehicle (42) (step B in
Once the dispensing device (30) arrives at the user (1) defined location (100) (step C in
In the table below, each of the steps comprising said product dispensing are detailed.
displayed to dispatch
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
According to
After that, the user (1) must go to the location of the dispensing device (30) (step C in
In the same way as for the case represented in
indicates data missing or illegible when filed
Other application examples that derive from the daily use of the system and method described by the present
the user (1) refills the products and which allows to obtain the recharging trends and consumption habits of the user (1) with each of the products purchased.
With this data the user interface can offer the user (1) the option of an automatic and personalized subscription for consumer products in which said user does not need to worry about coordinating the visit of a dispensing device (30) or having to go to a recharging point where one of these devices is located, since the system will automatically detect the right time when the recharging must be carried out, keeping the user (1) always supplied.
Said recharge is notified to the user (1) by means of an alert or notification issued by the user interface (20) in advance, in which the user (1) has the option to desist from the recharge. In case of not desisting, the dispensing device (30) visits the location predefined by the user (1) (for example, his home) wherein one or more products will be recharged.
The user (1), for example, can leave the container (s) (10) to be recharged at the concierge of his home address, in case he works outside his home and in the afternoon, he can pick up the containers already recharged by the dispensing device (30).
Another embodiment of the disclosure relates to a snack dispensing system for students where the containers (10) arranged with user identification elements (11) such as RFID identifiers (Radio Frequency Identification), for example, establish a communication between the container (10) and the identification and control module of the dispensing device (30).
The dispensed products may be liquid and/or solid wherein the user identification elements (11) may be associated with a student's user account or a parent's user account, who can recharge the student's balance and select the products and/or beverages that
the event of combating diseases such as obesity and/or diabetes, for example.
Another embodiment of the disclosure relates to an animal food and/or drink dispensing system where the animal has an identifying element (11) either in a container (10) arranged over a dispensing area next to the dispensing device (30) or transported in it, being identified by the dispensing device (30) when approaching it.
In this embodiment the user identification element (11) is associated with the owner of the animal who can control the amount of food and/or beverages that the dispensing device (30) can dispense daily, so that the owner does not have to worry about the task of filling the food and water containers every day.
Furthermore, the system is capable of calculating through the user interface (20), the daily consumption of food and beverages that the animal must have. Said calculation is carried out based on parameters, such as the species or breed to which the animal belongs, weight, diseases it may have, etc.
Consumer goods companies have a technical problem in defining products presentations for retail sales. Based on the technology proposed by the present disclosure there could now be infinite presentations for each of the products that are consumed in bulk according to the consumer, based on the purchase record obtained by the system's user interface (20).
Based on this solution, the problem of having shelves of multiple formats for each of the products is eliminated, therefore all the presentations can be at a single point in the dispensing device (30) which reduces the required space increasing the retailer profit per square foot.
In addition, the owners of each product can be offered incentives for having larger dispensing areas and/or for having a greater number of dispensing devices (30) in a specific sales
Another embodiment of the disclosure relates to the issuance of green bonds for companies because of the carbon footprint decrease due to the use of the present technology system where based on consumption information, the traceability of the positive environmental impact, such as the carbon dioxide that has stopped being emitted into the environment, can be obtained.
This accurate traceability enables to assign a value to the impact and thus be able to commercialize green bonds among the companies that achieve the greatest decrease, for example. This solution provides an accurate measurement of the environmental impact generated by the massive consumption of each of the products associated with the dispensing devices (30) and by the system user (1).
Following the same logic described for use in veterinary applications, a vehicle such as a car could be used as a container (10) having a user identification element (11) associated with the car owner's user account, where when the user (1) arrives with his car at a gasoline station a communication will be established between the car's user identifier element (11) and the identification and control module of the dispensing device (30), in this case gasoline dispenser, after which if there is sufficient balance to cover the amount of gasoline requested by the user (1) through the user interface (20), it will be enough for said user (1) to place the dispensing gun in the inlet of the car's fuel tank to start loading.
The entire operation must be subject to an authorization that the user (1) must give before starting loading, in order to prevent other people who drive the vehicle from carrying out fuel loads without the authorization of the user (1) to whom the user identification element (11) is associated. Such authorization may be given through the user interface (20) or through the display device of the dispensing device (30).
In addition, thanks to this system the user (1) will be
In another embodiment of the disclosure, thanks to the possibility of having accurate traceability of the products dispensed through the dispensing devices (30), it is possible to carry out an online and constant supervision of the perishable products quality by means of the dispensing device (30) different sensors, in order to be able to maintain the cold chains necessary for a proper preservation of the products.
In addition, in the event of problems with any of the products dispensed by one or more dispensers (30) in relation to quality problems in their production processing, it is possible to monitor the users (1) who have purchased said product, being able to quickly contact them through the user interface (20) or other forms of communication in order to warn consumers about any measures to be taken with said product.
The present application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/CL2020/050061 filed on Jun. 5, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/857,602 filed on Jun. 5, 2019, filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office, the entire contents of each hereby incorporated by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CL2020/050061 | 6/5/2020 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62857602 | Jun 2019 | US |
