A signaling apparatus paces a free pour count and choreographs a movement to stop pouring. The apparatus emits a first signal after an approximately 200-ms time interval and a series of subsequent signals every approximately 400-ms thereafter. The first time interval approximates a first time, measu
A signaling apparatus paces a free pour count and choreographs a movement to stop pouring. The apparatus emits a first signal after an approximately 200-ms time interval and a series of subsequent signals every approximately 400-ms thereafter. The first time interval approximates a first time, measured from a moment the sensor detects the start of the pour, needed to dispense a first unit of beverage through the pour spout, minus a second time needed to react to a signal and stop the pour. The 400-ms time interval approximates the time required to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage through the pour spout. In one embodiment, the signaling apparatus emits sequential pulses according to the pattern Y-Y-Y-Y-G-Y-Y-R, wherein Y is yellow, G is green, and R is red, wherein each pulse represents a quarter-ounce increment, the green pulse represents a standard pour, and the red pulse represents a full pour.
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1. A free pour signaling apparatus for a pour spout that paces a free pour count, the free pour signaling apparatus comprising: a sensor that senses a condition consistent with a start of a pour;a circuit including an electronic timing element that tracks a length of time of a pour;first, second, an
1. A free pour signaling apparatus for a pour spout that paces a free pour count, the free pour signaling apparatus comprising: a sensor that senses a condition consistent with a start of a pour;a circuit including an electronic timing element that tracks a length of time of a pour;first, second, and third indicators coupled to the circuit;the circuit actuating the first, second, and third indicators to pace a free pour count and choreograph a movement to stop pouring; anda power source that powers the circuit and the first, second and third indicators;wherein the first, second and third indicators signal at least two time intervals to choreograph a free pour; wherein: an initial time interval approximates a first length of time, measured from a moment the sensor senses the start of the pour, needed to dispense a first unit of beverage through the pour spout, minus a second length of time needed to react to a stop signal and to stop a free pour;a regular time interval approximates an amount of time that it takes to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage through the pour spout; andthe first indicator emits a first signal after the initial time interval has elapsed;the second indicator emits a signal to choreograph the bartender's completion of a standard pour and regularly emit subsequent signals during each of a plurality of subsequent regular time intervals; andthe third indicator choreographs the bartender's completion of a two-ounce pour or a three-ounce pour. 2. The free pour signaling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the standard pour is 1¼ or 1½ ounces of beverage. 3. The free pour signaling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pour spout comprises a rubber grommet having a neck portion, a finned portion, and a flanged portion, the finned portion being configured to be inserted into a beverage container and form a tight seal with the beverage container, and the neck portion being configured to fit around a conduit coupled to the rubber grommet, the pour spout further comprising a bent-nosed spout coupled to the conduit, a cap member for mounting the conduit in the rubber grommet, and a breather tube that allows air to flow into beverage container as beverage flows out of the spout. 4. The free pour signaling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit is embodied in a housing that includes a column that fits over a neck of the pour spout. 5. The free pour signaling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit is embodied in a housing mounted on the pour spout, the housing including a translucent exterior wall for diffusing light emanating from the at least one indicator. 6. The free pour signaling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a level switch. 7. The free pour signaling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third indicators comprises one or more light emitting diodes. 8. The free pour signaling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the initial time interval is about 200 ms and the regular time interval is about 400 ms. 9. A pour spout with a free pour signaling apparatus that paces a free pour count, the free pour signaling apparatus comprising: a sensor that senses a condition consistent with a start of a pour;a circuit including an electronic timing element that tracks a length of time of a pour;at least one indicator coupled to the circuit;the circuit actuating the at least one indicator to pace a free pour count and choreograph a movement to stop pouring; anda power source that powers the circuit and at least one indicator;wherein the at least one indicator signals at least two time intervals to choreograph a free pour; wherein: an initial time interval approximates a first length of time, measured from a moment the sensor senses the start of the pour, needed to dispense a first unit of beverage through the pour spout, minus a second length of time needed to react to a stop signal and to stop a free pour;a regular time interval approximates an amount of time that it takes to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage through the pour spout; andthe at least one indicator emits a first signal after the initial time interval has elapsed and regularly emits subsequent signals during each of a plurality of subsequent regular time intervals;the at least one indicator comprises one or more light emitting diodes that emit pulses of yellow light to signal quarter-ounce increments, a pulse of green light to signal a standard pour, and a pulse of red light to signal a two-ounce pour. 10. The pour spout of claim 9, wherein the circuit is embodied in a housing that includes a column that fits over a rubber neck of the pour spout. 11. The pour spout of claim 9, wherein the circuit is embodied in a housing mounted on the pour spout, the housing including a translucent exterior wall for diffusing light emanating from the at least one indicator. 12. The pour spout of claim 9, wherein the sensor is a level switch. 13. The pour spout of claim 9, wherein the at least one indicator comprises one or more light emitting diodes that emit pulses of yellow light to signal quarter-ounce increments, a pulse of green light to signal a standard pour, and a pulse of red light to signal a two-ounce pour. 14. The pour spout of claim 9, wherein the initial time interval is about 200 ms and the regular time interval is about 400 ms. 15. A free pour signaling apparatus for a pour spout that paces a free pour count, the free pour signaling apparatus comprising: a sensor that senses a condition consistent with a start of a pour;a circuit including an electronic timing element that tracks a length of time of a pour;at least one indicator coupled to the circuit;the circuit actuating the at least one indicator to pace a free pour count and choreograph a movement to stop pouring; anda power source that powers the circuit and at least one indicator;wherein the at least one indicator signals at least two time intervals to choreograph a free pour; wherein: an initial time interval approximates a first length of time, measured from a moment the sensor senses the start of the pour, needed to dispense a first unit of beverage through the pour spout, minus a second length of time needed to react to a stop signal and to stop a free pour;a regular time interval approximates an amount of time that it takes to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage through the pour spout; andthe at least one indicator emits a first signal after the initial time interval has elapsed and regularly emits subsequent signals during each of a plurality of subsequent regular time intervals;wherein the at least one indicator emits pulses of yellow light to signal quarter-ounce increments, a pulse of green light to signal a standard pour, and a pulse of red light to signal a two-ounce pour. 16. A free pour signaling apparatus for a pour spout that paces a free pour count, the free pour signaling apparatus comprising: a sensor that senses a condition consistent with a start of a pour;a circuit including an electronic timing element that tracks a length of time of a pour;at least one indicator coupled to the circuit;the circuit actuating the at least one indicator to pace a free pour count and choreograph a movement to stop pouring; anda power source that powers the circuit and at least one indicator;wherein the at least one indicator signals at least two time intervals to choreograph a free pour; wherein: an initial time interval approximates a first length of time, measured from a moment the sensor senses the start of the pour, needed to dispense a first unit of beverage through the pour spout, minus a second length of time needed to react to a stop signal and to stop a free pour;a regular time interval approximates an amount of time that it takes to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage through the pour spout; andthe at least one indicator emits a first signal after the initial time interval has elapsed and regularly emits subsequent signals during each of a plurality of subsequent regular time intervals;wherein the at least one indicator emits sequential pulses of colored light according to the pattern Y-Y-Y-Y-G-Y-Y-R, wherein Y is yellow, G is green, and R is red. 17. A pour spout with a free pour signaling apparatus that paces a free pour count, the free pour signaling apparatus comprising: a sensor that senses a condition consistent with a start of a pour;a circuit including an electronic timing element that tracks a length of time of a pour;at least one indicator coupled to the circuit;the circuit actuating the at least one indicator to pace a free pour count and choreograph a movement to stop pouring; anda power source that powers the circuit and at least one indicator;wherein the at least one indicator signals at least two time intervals selected to choreograph a free pour; wherein: an initial time interval approximates a first length of time, measured from a moment the sensor senses the start of the pour, needed to dispense a first unit of beverage through the pour spout, minus a second length of time needed to react to a stop signal and to stop a free pour;a regular time interval approximates an amount of time that it takes to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage through the pour spout; andthe at least one indicator emits a first signal after the initial time interval has elapsed and regularly emits subsequent signals during each of a plurality of subsequent regular time intervals;wherein the at least one indicator emits sequential pulses of colored light according to the pattern Y-Y-Y-Y-G-Y-Y-R, wherein Y is yellow, G is green, and R is red.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (11)
Wilson Jerry L. (2810 E. 46th St. Chattanooga TN 37407), Device for recording the dispensing of fluids.
Peckels Arganious E. (R.R. 2 ; Box 489 Ogilvie MN 56358), Method and apparatus for manual dispensing from discrete vessels with electronic system control and dispensing data gene.
Temko, Seth W.; Raczynski, Walter V.; Zimnicki, Charles L., Methods, apparatuses, and systems for measuring the amount of material dispensed from a container using an accelerometer.
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