Patent ID: 6427871
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: B67D,G01F

Abstract:
A programmable liquid dispensing device with user readable indicators for tracking information associated with a succession of pouring events of a liquid holding container upon which the dispensing device is installed, with each respective pouring event causing a pre-determined volume of liquid to be dispensed from the container, the dispensing device comprising:a dispenser portion adapted for coupling with an opening in an upper portion of the container, the dispenser portion including a conduit having an open upper end, which is disposed above the dispensing device outside of the container, and an open lower end, which is disposed within an interior of the container when suitably installed upon the container, the conduit structured to enable liquid to be dispensed from the container when the container is in an inverted position; an embedded controller housed within an interior of a housing that is fixed to the dispenser portion; flow detecting means also housed substantially within the housing and structured to detect a pouring event during which liquid is being dispensed from the container, the flow detecting means operatively coupled to the embedded controller to indicate when a pouring event commences and when a pouring event terminates; a user interface provided to enable the exchange of information between a user of the dispensing device and the embedded controller, the user interface operatively coupled to the controller, enabling a user to input information to the dispensing device and receive information therefrom, the user interface suitably fixed to the housing to enable a user easy access thereto; the embedded controller arranged to determine when a pouring event commences, when a predetermined length of time has elapsed and the pouring event should end, and further arranged to provide the user an end signal and provide to the user updated pouring related information via the user interface.