Liquid measuring dispenser

• US 4,736,871 A
• Filed: 11/19/1986
• Issued: 04/12/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dorian E. Luciani, William A. Ryan
• Original Assignee: Dorian E. Luciani, William A. Ryan
• Inventors: Ryan, William A., Luciani, Dorian E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rolla, Joseph J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUSON, GREGORY L
• Application Number:
  US06/932,430
• Time in Patent Office: 510 Days
• Field of Search: 222/30, 222/36, 222/37, 222/25, 222/71, 222/641, 221/2, 221/7, 221/8, 340/825.35, 364/479, 364/510, 364/465, 200/186, 346/14 MR
• US Class Current: 222/25
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/248 the closure being provided with transient audible or visual signaling means, e.g. for indicating dispensing, or other illuminating or acoustic devices, e.g. whistles B65D55/026, B65D55/028 take precedence; for indicating incorrect storage B65D79/02
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0003 provided with automatic fluid control means
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0041 with provisions for metering the liquid to be dispensed
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 3/0077 Electronic circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 13/006 measuring volume in function of time
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 13/008 taps comprising counting- and recording means counting devices, counting of objects in general G06M

Abstract

A dispenser for conductive liquids which includes appropriate circuit elements to measure the volume of liquid dispensed therethrough, and particularly useful in the bar and restaurant trade. The dispenser also includes circuitry to record the number of times it is removed from a container. Probes are provided for actuating a display and for remote recording and reading.

Claims

1. A liquid measuring dispenser for determining and recording the volume of a conductive liquid poured from a container through the dispenser, including:

a housing having an inlet and an outlet spout,

attachment means for securing the housing onto the container,

a pourer tube interconnecting the inlet and the spout,

the inlet communicating with the interior of the container,

a first electrical sensor mounted adjacent the outlet spout,

a second electrical sensor mounted in the pourer tube and spaced from the first sensor,

the sensors being electrically connected to each other through the liquid, when the liquid is being poured from the container,

a tilt switch in the housing which is closed upon tilting of the container for pouring,

a removal switch in the housing which is closed when the housing is not attached to the container,

the circuit including a battery,

counting and recording means for recording the length of time the tilt switch is closed and the sensors are connected and thereby to record the volume of liquid poured, and for recording the number of times the housing is detached from the container,

display means for displaying the recorded information,

actuation switch means for activating the display means, and

an electrical circuit within the housing connecting the sensors, the tilt switch, and the removal switch, the battery, the counting and recording means, the display means, and actuation switch.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the volume of liquid dispensed counting and recording means resets to zero when the removal switch is opened.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein the circuit includes a low battery detecting and indicating means.

4. The invention of claim 1 wherein the counting means is adjustable as to rate whereby the count may be adjusted for viscosity of the liquid.

5. The invention of claim 1 including probe means,

remote recording and display means, and

probe receptor means mounted in the housing, whereby the probe means may be interconnected with the receptor means to transmit the data recorded in the counting and recording means to the remote recording means.

6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the probe means includes an infrared detector and probe.

7. The invention of claim 1 wherein the actuation switch means includes:

a mechanical probe,

a mechanical probe receptor,

a probe circuit means within the probe and receptor for activating the display means when the probe is inserted into the receptor, and

reset switch means within the receptor for resetting the counting and recording means upon manipulation of the probe.

8. The invention of claim 7 including a remote recording and reading means connected to the probe.