# US 9,751,745 B2 · Combination of dispenser and container for a plurality of containers, having a system for the correct placing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,745 B2 - Document ID: US9751745B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/763,154 - Filed: 2014-09-03 - Published: 2016-07-07 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-09-26 - Assignees: Blupura S.R.L. - Applicants: Blupura S.R.L. - Inventors: Gianni Grottini - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751745B2 ## CPC - B67D 1/0888: {Means comprising electronic circuitry (e.g. control panels, switching or controlling means)} - B67D 1/0801: {of beverage containers, e.g. casks, kegs} - B67D 1/0894: {for the vessel to be filled} - B67D 3/0006: {responsive to coded information provided on the neck or spout of the storage container, e.g. bar-code, magnets or transponder} - B65D 2303/00: Orienting or positioning means for containers - B67D 2001/0811: {provided with coded information} - B67D 2001/0812: {Bottles, cartridges or similar containers} - B67D 2210/00031: Housing - B67D: DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (cleaning pipes or tubes or systems of pipes or tubes B08B9/02; emptying or filling of bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels, or similar containers, not otherwise provided for B67C; water supply E03; pipe systems F17D; domestic hot-water supply systems F24D; measuring volume, volume flow, mass flow or liquid level, metering by volume G01F; coin-freed or like apparatus G07F) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract The object of the present invention is the combination between a dispenser (1) for dispensing beverages and at least a case (5.0) of a plurality of containers (5′) intended to be used in the drawing station (2) of said dispenser (1). Said dispenser (1) and case (5.0) are provided each with a centring element (4, 6) having reciprocal shape, the coupling thereof enables the positioning of said case (5.0) inside the compartment (3) of the drawing station (2) of said dispenser (1), in such a way that the mouths (5.2′) of said plurality of containers (5′) of said case (5.0) are vertically aligned with the overlying plurality of openings or spouts (3.3) for dispensing the beverages. The reciprocal coupling between said centring elements (4, 6) further activates a wireless communication system for the exchange of data between said case (5.0) of a plurality of containers (5′) and said dispenser (1). ## Claims ### Claim 1 Combination of a dispenser for dispensing beverages with a case having a plurality of containers disposed therein, each container having a mouth, and said case having a centering element, said dispenser comprising: a containment structure and at least one drawing station, having: a compartment disposed within said structure, adapted to the placement of said case, a base for supporting said case, a plurality of openings or spouts for dispensing beverages, overlying said base, at least one dispenser centering element reciprocal of the case centering element, wherein reciprocal coupling between said centering elements enables the positioning of said case in said compartment such that said mouth of each of said plurality of containers is vertically aligned with at least one of said overlyving openings or spouts for dispensing the beverages, wherein said reciprocal coupling activates a communication system for the exchange of data between said case and said dispenser, said communication system comprising: a reader located in said dispenser centering element, a microchip provided with non-volatile memory for the storage of said data, an antenna disposed in said dispenser centering element adapted to receive signals from said microchip and transfer said signals to said reader, an information system for the management of data exchanged between said reader and microchip, said communication system performing the exchange of data responsive to said reciprocal coupling. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said reciprocal coupling comprises insertion of one reciprocating element into the corresponding reciprocating element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 2, wherein, said case centering element comprises a projecting pin adapted to engage in said dispenser centering element, and wherein said dispenser centering element comprises a cavity. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 2, wherein said case centering element comprises a cavity adapted to engage with said dispenser centering element, and wherein said dispenser centering element comprises a projecting pin. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said reciprocal coupling between said centering elements comprises contact positioning. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 5, wherein said case centering element is disposed on the surface of the rear or lateral side of said case and is adapted to couple with said dispenser centering element, said dispenser centering element comprising a pin projecting from the rear and lateral wall of said compartment respectively. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said case comprises a transparent surface, disposed such that at least a portion of said case centering element is visible therethrough, said dispenser centering element having at least one light source, operable in response, and subsequent to, said reciprocal coupling, such that light emanating from said light source being visible through said transparent portion, whereby the light source is indicative of at least one condition selected from a group consisting of correct coupling taken place, operating steps of said dispenser, operating steps of said communication system, and any combination thereof. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 7, wherein said portion of transparent surface extends up to the front side of said case. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said microchip is fixed by co-moulding or gluing to said case centering element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said antenna is integrated to said case centering element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said microchip consists of an integrated circuit or an RFID or NFC label. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said microchip comprises a label operating at 13.56 MHz, said microchip being calibrated to communicate with said reader only at a distance of between 0-2 cm. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor or mechanical element disposed in the dispenser centering element, the case centering element or in a combination thereof, the sensors of mechanical elements being adapted to verify the occurrence of reciprocal coupling and subsequently to authorizer the activation of said communication system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said communication system further comprising a CPU and a monitor integrated to said dispenser. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, further comprising an Internet data link. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein the data being exchanged comprises of at least one information item selected from a list consisting of case user information, case information, container information for at least one of said plurality of containers, container owner information of at least one of said plurality of containers, credit balance associated with said case, credit balance associated with at least one said plurality of containers, beverage type preference, beverage quantity preference, personal activity of the user of at least one of said plurality of containers, or any combination thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 15 wherein the communications system is farther configured to deliver at least one service of an informational nature, a functional nature, or a combination thereof, responsive to the information of said exchanged data. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 16, wherein said data or a portion thereof is storable in said microchip, either at the time of the first purchase or collection of said container, or at the time of the first use of said container with said dispenser. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to the claim 17, wherein said data stored in said microchip are wholly or partially editable and can be overwritten via a portable reader, via said dispenser, or individually by both a portable reader and the dispenser. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said antenna is further adapted to receive signals from said reader and transfer said signal to said microchip. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) Combination between a dispenser and a case according to claim 1, wherein said microchip is disposed in said case centering element.