APPARATUS FOR AND A METHOD OF MEASURING THE FLUID CONTENTS OF CONTAINERS

Abstract: A hand-held device for measuring the amount of fluid present in a partially filled container includes a temperature sensitive means for determining the level of fluid present in the container and distance sensitive means for determining the height of this level above a predetermined datum level. A microprocessor is programmed with an algorithm into which the determined values can be entered together with values representative of the internal configuration and volume of the container, the device including a display for displaying the measured amount of fluid present in the container.

Description: APPARATUS FOR AND A METHOD OF MEASURING THE FLUID CONTENTS OF CONTAINERS This invention relates to apparatus for and methods of measuring the contents of containers, more especially the amount of fluid present in a partially filled container and, possibly, the dry stock contents of such a container. The term "fluid" as used herein embraces liquids and flowable material in solid form. There are numerous occasions when it is necessary accurately to measure the liquid contents of a bottle, barrel, keg or similar container. One such occasion arises when conducting audits of licensed premises and in particular when valuing the stock held on such premises. Such valuations must sensibly include the contents of partially filled bottles of spirits and other liquids, and the contents of barrels and kegs of beer and the like. Presently, the amount of spirits and beers contained within partially filled bottles, barrels and kegs is simply estimated. For companies owning several licensed premises, misapproximations of the quantity of spirits contained in opened bottles and barrels can result in significant inaccuracies in the resulting stock valuation. The present invention sets out in one aspect to provide apparatus for and methods of providing an accurate measure of the amount of fluid present in a container. An auditor must also take into account unused stock which may be held in cartons or packaging as received from suppliers. Such cartons or packaging are generally bar coded and a further aspect of the present invention is to provide hand-held apparatus by use of which a complete audit can be undertaken. According to the present invention in one aspect there is provided hand-held apparatus including an electronically operated microprocessor having a visual display linked to a memory in which is stored data representative of the dimensions and configuration of a plurality of containers within which fluid is stored and from which the volume of fluid present in any such container can be calculated from a knowledge its level and attitude of the container, the apparatus further comprising means for determining the level of fluid within a container and the height of this level above a predetermined datum position, means for entering into memory signals representative of the determined value and the dimensions and configuration of the container being measured, and means for automatically computing from these signals the amount of fluid present in the container and displaying this computed amount on the visual display. In another aspect the invention provides a method of measuring the amount of fluid present in a partially filled container, the method comprising the steps of determining the level of the fluid content of the container with the container in a given attitude and the height of this level above a predetermined datum level, entering this determined value into a memory of a microprocessor in which is stored data representative of the dimensions and configuration of a plurality of containers, and means for calculating therefrom the fluid content of the container. In a further aspect, the invention provides apparatus for sensing a value or values representative of the volume or weight of the contents of a container, selecting from a data store data representative of the configuration and dimensions of the container, and determining from the sensed values and the data extracted from store the volume and/or weight of the contents of the container. Data representative of the monetary values per unit volume of a plurality of fluids may also be retained in the memory of the microprocessor thereby enabling a visual display to be provided for the value of the measured fluid content of the container. The level determining means may comprise an infra-red temperature measuring device capable of detecting a change in temperature occurring between the fluid and gas content of an opaque container. The height determining means may comprise an infra-red device operable to measuring distance. The fluid may be a liquid or a flowable medium such as a powder or granulated material. In a still further aspect the invention provides a hand-held device for measuring the amount of fluid present in a partially filled container, the device including temperature sensitive means for determining the level of fluid present in the container and distance sensitive means for determining the height of this level above a predetermined datum level, and a microprocessor programmed with an algorithm into which the determined values can be entered together with values representative of the internal configuration and volume of the container, the device including a display for displaying the measured amount of fluid present in the container. The device may also include a bar code reader connected to send signals to the microprocessor. The device may be capable of being connected to transmit data held in memory to a microprocessor programmed to provide accounting date. The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing in which the sole Figure is a perspective view of a measuring device in accordance with the invention. The device illustrated in the drawings comprises a hand-held device 1 in which is housed a battery operated electronic microprocessor including a visual display 2 and a series of key pads 3 by which data can be entered manually into the memory of the microprocessor device. The device further includes an infra-red meter 4 for measuring distance from a selected datum level, a temperature sensitive infra-red meter 5 and an electronic bar code reader 6. The device also includes a spirit level 7. The meters 4 and 5 are connected to transmit data representative of measured distances and temperatures to the microprocessor. Retained in memory within the microprocessor is a look-up table of data representative of the internal dimensions and configuration of a plurality of containers likely to be encountered by a user of the device. Each such container can be identified by the user entering a code unique to the container under measurement via the key pads 3 or by using a bar code reader if the information required is bar coded on the container. On entry of the measured values and the appropriate code for the container being measured, the microprocessor operates automatically to provide a visual display of the fluid contents of the container. A look-up table of data representative of the monetary value of unit volume of fluids likely to be encountered by a user of the device may also be retained in memory to enable the monetary value of the measured contents of a container to be displayed. The device includes an extendable hook 8 connected to an electronic balance housed within the device and operable to provide a measure of the weight of opened cartons of, for example, packets of crisps and peanuts. A look-up table may be retained within the memory of the microprocessor of the weight of a plurality of cartons likely to be encountered by a user of the device when unopened from which the number of packets or like present within the carton can be calculated. Again, a monetary value of such items can be displayed. All of the information is capable of being down-loaded to a printer or computer terminal in the normal way. In use, the device is used by a person conducting a stock audit of unused and partially used consumables such as bottled spirits of, for example, a licensed premises. For unopened stock bearing a bar-code, the bar-code reader is employed to record the number and value for those stock items in memory within the microprocessor. For unopened stock bearing no bar-code, the number and value of the items in question are entered via the key pads. For partially filled containers such as bottles, barrels, kegs and the like, each liquid level (if not visible) is determined by moving the infra-red temperature meter 5 along the side of the container until a charge in recorded temperature is detected. This temperature change occurs as the meter is moved from a position in which it measures liquid temperature to a position in which it measures gas temperature or vice versa. With the meter 5 held alongside the detected liquid level, the infra-red meter 4 is operated to measure the distance between this level and the base of the container. This measured information is then transmitted to the microprocessor and the code relevant to the shape and configuration of the container is entered via the key pad or bar code reader to enable the volume of liquid present in the container to be calculated and either displayed or retained or stored in memory for later retrieval. The value of this liquid volume may also be displayed or retained or stored in memory. Partially filled containers can be suspended from the hook 8 and weighed, this weight being compared with the stored data of the respective look-up table to provide a display of the number of items left in the carton and, if required, their value. Alternatively, the information may be retained or stored in memory. Information from tills may also be down loaded into memory or store and used in later calculations when providing a stock report. Once an audit has been completed, all of the information gleaned from the audit can be down-loaded via a printer or via a terminal into a remote microprocessor or computer for analysis purposes. The invention enables the entire audit to be completed using a single hand-held device. It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of measuring devices in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims. Thus, a hygrometer probe may be provided to enable, for example, alcohol contents of spirits and the like to be measured.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 . Hand-held apparatus including an electronically operated microprocessor having a visual display linked to a memory in which is stored data representative of the dimensions and configuration of a plurality of containers within which fluid is stored and from which the volume of fluid present in any such container can be calculated from a knowledge of the fluid level and attitude of the container, the apparatus further comprising means for determining the level of fluid within a container and the height of this level above a predetermined datum position, means for entering into memory signals representative of the determined value and the dimensions and configuration of the container being measured, and means for automatically computing from these signals the amount of fluid present in the container and displaying this computed amount on the visual display. 2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the level determining means comprises an infra-red temperature measuring device capable of detecting a change in temperature occurring between the fluid and gas content of the container. 3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the height determining means comprises an infra-red device, operable to measure distance. 4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3 further comprising a keyboard for manually entering data into memory. 5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 further comprising an electronic bar-code reader for entering data into memory. 6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4 further comprising a spirit level. 7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the stored data is in the form of one or more look-up tables of data representative of the internal dimensions and configurations of a plurality of containers, each such container being identifiable by a unique code. 8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims further comprising an electronic balance operable to provide a measure of weight of a container and its contents supported on or suspended from the apparatus. 9. A method of measuring the amount of fluid present in a partially filled container, the method comprising the steps of determining the level of the fluid content of the container with the container in a given attitude and the height of this level above a predetermined datum level, entering this determined value into a memory of a microprocessor in which is stored data representative of the dimensions and configuration of a plurality of containers, and means for calculating therefrom the fluid content of the container. 1 0. Apparatus for sensing a value or values representative of the volume or weight of the contents of a container, selecting from a data store data representative of the configuration and dimensions of the container, and determining from the sensed values and the data extracted from store the volume and/or weight of the contents of the container. 1 1 . A hand-held device for measuring the amount of liquid present in a partially filled container, the device including temperature sensitive means for determining the level of liquid present in the container and distance sensitive means for determining the height of this level above a predetermined datum level, and a microprocessor programmed with an algorithm into which the determined values can be entered together with values representative of the internal configuration and volume of the container, the device including a display for displaying the measured amount of liquid present in the container.

Inventors: WILLIS WILLIAM GORDON, WILLIS, WILLIAM, GORDON
Applicants: WILLIS WILLIAM GORDON, WILLIS, WILLIAM, GORDON
Application year: 1997
Main classification: G01F17
IPC codes: G01F23