Beverage dispenser with serving time monitor
US5839483A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 6, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 6, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB67D1/1466
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A switch, mounted on a standard beverage tap, provides an electrical signal indicating when beverage is being dispensed into a serving container. The electrical signal is applied to a monitor which measures the period of time that the beverage flows from the tap. As beverage dispensing occurs, a series of steps are taken which determine from the time measurements whether the dispensing is proceeding into one container, is complete, is part of a continuous pour into several containers or has been completed with a subsequent single container pouring operation occurring. That determination is based on whether the period of time is within a range indicative of dispensing the beverage into a single serving container. When that determination is made a serving container count is incremented. The monitor also uses the measured time period to detect when the tap is opened for longer than the typical time required to fill a single beverage container. In response to that detection, a numerical estimate is made of how many serving containers were filled while the beverage tap was open and the numerical estimate is added to the serving container count. The measured time that the tap was open al…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.