Patent Publication Number: US-10315909-B2

Title: Pour spout signaling apparatus

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of our U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/659,056, filed Mar. 16, 2015, entitled “Pour Spout Signaling Apparatus,” and claims the benefit of our U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/955,713, filed Mar. 19, 2014 and entitled “Pour Spout,” which are both herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to pour spouts, and more particularly, to pour spouts for beverage containers. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A “free pour” refers to the pouring of alcohol or mixing of drinks without using a measuring device. In the bartending art, bartenders are trained to count the amount of time they are pouring a beverage to roughly estimate the volume they are dispensing. Typically, the pouring is done through an industry-standard pour spout that is sized to dispense beverage under normal gravity pour conditions at a consistent flow rate. For example, a conventional pour spout will dispense about an ounce of beverage every one to two seconds under the pressure exerted by the weight of the beverage in a 750 ml or 1 liter beverage container. 
     In what is sometimes referred to in the trade as a “free pour count,” the bartender begins the pour by inverting the beverage container to about a ten to twelve o-clock angle. Once the bartender observes the stream of beverage exiting the pour spout and/or hitting the glass, the bartender begins a paced count (e.g., “one, two, three, four . . . ”). When the bartender reaches the desired count—e.g., “five” for a one-and-one-quarter-ounce “standard pour”—the bartender rapidly tilts the beverage container upward while simultaneously turning her wrist, in a graceful action referred to as a “cut.” The speed at which a bartender paces her count depends on the count system employed. Some bartenders employ a “four count” system to dispense a quarter ounce of beverage per increment. Other bartenders employ a “three count” system in which an ounce is dispensed at count “three.” Yet other bartenders employ a “one one-thousand, two one-thousand” count, incrementing the count about every second. 
     Several variables reduce the accuracy and consistency of a free pour. There is an initial reaction time between the moment a stream of beverage exits the pour spout and/or hits a glass and the moment the bartender begins the count. The flow rate may also be reduced by what is known in the bartending industry as a “hiccup,” when an air bubble travels up the inverted spout. There is also a subsequent reaction time between the moment the bartender reaches the desired count and the moment the bartender begins the cut. Moreover, bartenders may not always count at an accurate and consistent pace. Of course, it is also easy for a bartender to get distracted and lose track of their count, particularly in busy environments. Frequently, these variables result in the bartender dispensing additional beverage—a phenomenon known as “overpouring”—costing the establishment lost revenues. 
     What is needed is a small, low-cost smart pour spout that will help bartenders keep track of how much beverage they are pouring and when they should begin a cut to stop the pour. 
     SUMMARY 
     A pour spout with a free pour signaling apparatus is provided to pace a free pour count. In one embodiment, the signaling apparatus comprises a sensor such as a level switch to detect the inversion of a beverage container, an electronic timing element that tracks a length of time of a pour, and a power source. The circuit is programmed to actuate at least one indicator coupled to the circuit to pace a free pour count and choreograph a movement to stop pouring. 
     The circuit is programmed with at least two time intervals selected to choreograph a free pour. An initial time interval—in one embodiment, about 200 ms—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 subsequent time interval—in one embodiment, about 400 ms—approximates an amount of time that it takes to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage through the pour spout. The circuit causes the indicator(s) to emit a first signal after the initial time interval has elapsed and regularly emit subsequent signals during each of a plurality of subsequent regular time intervals. 
     In another embodiment, the signaling apparatus comprises three light emitting diodes. The first LED (e.g., yellow) is used as a pacing light, with each pulse representing a quarter-ounce pour. A second LED (e.g., green) prompts the bartender when to begin to stop pouring in order to complete a standard pour of 1¼ or 1½ ounces of beverage. A third LED (e.g., red) prompts the bartender when to begin to stop pouring in order to complete a full pour of 2 or 3 ounces of beverage. Together, the LEDs emit 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. 
     In one embodiment, circuit is embodied in a housing that includes a column that fits over a neck of the pour spout. The housing includes a translucent exterior wall for diffusing light emanating from the indicator(s). 
     The following detailed description and the annexed sheets of drawings further illustrate the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an unassembled pour spout with a signaling apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an assembled pour spout with a signaling apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of one embodiment of a signaling apparatus for a pour spout. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the signaling apparatus of  FIG. 3 , in assembled form. 
         FIG. 5  is a silk screen of one embodiment of a printed circuit board for a signaling apparatus. 
         FIG. 6  is a functional flow chart of one embodiment of a signaling apparatus for a pour spout. 
         FIG. 7  is a circuit diagram of one embodiment of a signaling apparatus for a pour spout. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Before the subject invention is described further, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the invention described below or depicted in the drawings. Many modifications may be made to adapt or modify a depicted embodiment without departing from the objective, spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that, unless otherwise specified, this invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described herein, and all such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the claims made herein. 
     It is also to be understood that terms of art and words in general carry a range of meanings. Language is an imprecise medium of communication. The terminology and grammar employed in this specification is for the purpose of describing and explicating particular embodiments. Unless the context clearly demonstrates otherwise, the particular terms and grammatical structure employed should be liberally construed. 
       FIGS. 1-7  illustrate one embodiment of a pour-spout dispenser  10  and free pour signaling apparatus  20  that paces a free pour count. In resemblance to a standard “285” spout, the pour spout  10  comprises a spout assembly  19  and a rubber grommet  11 . The spout assembly  19  comprises a channel  12  for channeling the beverage, a bent-nosed outlet tube  13  coupled to the channel  12 , a cap member  14  for mounting the spout assembly  19  to the rubber grommet  11 , and a breather tube  15  that allows air to flow into beverage container as beverage flows out of the spout  13 . 
     The rubber grommet  11  comprises a neck portion  16 , an inlet tube  17 , and a flange  18 . Like a standard “285” spout, the inlet tube  17  has radial fins to retain the dispenser  10  within, and form a liquid-tight seal with, the beverage container. The neck portion  16  is configured to fit around the channel  12  when the pour-spout dispenser  10  is assembled. 
     The signaling apparatus  20  comprises a sensor  22 , a circuit  30 , at least one indicator  40 ,  42 , and/or  44 —such as a light emitting diode LED, a tactile stimulator, or sound maker—coupled to the circuit  30 , and a power source  34  that powers the circuit  30  and at least one indicator  40 ,  42 , and/or  44 . 
     The circuit  30  is programmed to provide signals through the indicators  40 ,  42  and/or  44  to pace a free pour count and choreograph the bartender&#39;s movement to stop pouring. A sensor  22 —for example, a level switch, tilt sensor or micro tilt switch—senses if the pour spout  10  is tilted into a beverage-pouring orientation. An electronic timing element, for example, a microcontroller  61  or a counter coupled to a clock signal, tracks a length of time that the sensor  22  is tilted into a beverage-pouring orientation. When the beverage container is tipped to pour the beverage, the sensor  22  initiates a count sequence to activate the indicator(s)  40 ,  42  and/or  44  at appropriate times or increments. When the beverage container is in an upright position, the sensor  22  is in a position (open or closed) that deactivates the circuit  30 . 
     In one embodiment, the indicator(s)  40 ,  42  and/or  44  comprise an amber LED  40 , a green LED  42 , and a red LED  44 . The amber LED  40  is employed as a tempo light that pulses (i.e., flashes on and off) at regular time intervals to represent conventional increments (e.g., ¼ ounce) of a free pour count. The green LED  42  flashes on after an extended time interval to choreograph the bartender&#39;s completion of a “standard pour” (e.g., 1¼ ounces) or longer pour (e.g., 1½ ounces). Finally, the red LED  44  flashes on after a maximum time interval to choreograph the bartender&#39;s completion of a two-ounce pour (e.g., 2 ounces or 3 ounces). In a more particular example, the LEDs  40 ,  42 ,  44  are programmed to emit 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, and wherein each letter in the pattern corresponds to ¼-ounce increments. 
     The circuit  30  is programmed with at least two time intervals. A first time interval is selected to approximate an amount of time, from a moment the sensor  22  is activated, required to dispense a first unit of beverage from the pour spout  10 , minus an estimated typical amount of time that elapses between a moment the first signal is provided to a bartender and a moment the bartender cuts the flow of beverage off. A second time interval is selected to approximate an amount of time required to dispense each subsequent unit of beverage from the pour spout  10 . 
     In tests conducted in connection with the present invention, about 600 ms typically elapses between the moment a sensor signals the inversion of the beverage container and the moment the first quarter ounce of beverage is dispensed from the pour spout  10 . About 400 ms elapses for each subsequent quarter ounce dispensed from the pour spout  10 . The longer time needed to dispense the first quarter ounce is due in part to a bubble of air—known in the bartending art as a “hiccup”—that travels up the pour spout  10  at the beginning of the pour. 
     Also, about 400 ms of time typically elapses between the moment a signal is emitted to stop pouring and the moment the pouring actually stops. Human reaction time—i.e., the time between the moment the signal is emitted and the initial motor response to begin the cut—accounts for one component of the 400 ms of delay. Time needed to perform the cut—i.e., the progression of arm and wrist movements that un-invert the beverage container—accounts for another component of the 400 ms of delay. 
     Accordingly, in one embodiment, the first time interval is selected to equal about 600 ms−400 ms=200 ms, and the second time interval is selected to equal about 400 ms. Thus, the first free pour count pacing signal is emitted at about 200 ms (i.e., the first time interval) after the sensor  22  detects a condition, such as the inversion of the beverage container, consistent with the start of a pour, and subsequent free pour count pacing signals are emitted once approximately every 400 ms (i.e., the second time interval) thereafter. Because each of the signals is emitted early enough to compensate for human delay, the signaling apparatus  20  helps a bartender complete a pour without overpouring the beverage. 
     The circuit  30  is embodied on a ring-shaped printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)  31 .  FIG. 6  is a silkscreen  62  of one embodiment of the PCBA.  FIG. 7  is a circuit board diagram for the circuit  30 . The circuit  30  employs a PIC10F200 microcontroller  61  and is powered by one or more batteries  34  mounted in a battery bracket on the PCBA  31 . In one embodiment, the circuit  30  also includes logic to keep the circuit  30  activated for a minimum period of time after activation to correct for tilt switch chatter. 
     A cylindrical housing  50  encloses the circuit PCBA  31 . In one embodiment, the housing  50  comprises a base  51  and a cap  52 . A substantially cylindrical interior column  53  rising up from the base  51  provides a seat for the PCBA  31 . The interior column  53  also serves as a sleeve that fits over and compresses the neck  16  of the rubber grommet  11  to securely hold the channel  12  within the neck  16  of the rubber grommet  11 . A keyed portion  54  of the interior column  53  receives a projecting portion  19  on the neck  16  of the rubber grommet  11 , preventing the housing  50  from rotating with respect to the robber grommet  11 . 
     A substantially cylindrical translucent outer wall  56  also rises up from the perimeter of the base  51 . The translucence of the outer wall  54  diffuses light emanating from the indicator(s)  40 ,  42 , and/or  44 , so that the indicator(s)  40 ,  42 , and/or  44  light up substantially all of the wall  56 . 
       FIG. 3  is a functional flow chart illustrating the programming of the signaling apparatus  20 . In block  71 , a bartender begins the progression of movements to invert the beverage container to pour. In block  73 , the sensor  22  senses some part of this progression, for example, when the beverage container is tilted at least 90 degrees. This triggers a timer and initializes a unit count to zero. In block  75 , the circuit  30  waits for a first time interval—for example, about 200 ms—approximately equal to the typical time needed to dispense a first unit of beverage, accounting for any “hiccup,” minus a typical time that elapses between a stop signal being issued and the bartender completing a cut. In block  77 , the circuit  30  increments a unit count. Next, depending on the unit count, the circuit  30  causes one of a first, second, and third indicators  40 ,  42 , and  44  to emit a signal. If the unit count is other than five or eight, then in block  81  the first indicator  40  emits a signal pulse. If the unit count is five, then in block  83  the second indicator  42  emits a signal pulse. If the unit count is eight, then in block  85  the third indicator  44  emits a signal pulse. For unit counts less than eight, flow proceeds from block  81  or block  83  to block  85 , at which point the circuit  30  waits for a second time interval approximately equal to the typical time needed to dispense each additional unit of liquor. After eight signals are emitted, the indicators  40 ,  42 , and  44  all go and stay dark until the next pour. 
     The present invention may be adapted to into many different embodiments in which the signaling apparatus may take a different form, employ a different count, use one or more different signals, use different timing intervals, and/or signal different pour increments. For example, in one alternative embodiment, the signaling apparatus  20  comprises three indicators  40 ,  42 ,  44 —such as green, yellow, and red LEDs—representing go, slow, and stop. In this embodiment, the green light indicates that the bartender should pour or continue pouring. The yellow light warns the bartender that they should prepare to stop pouring. The red light notifies the bartender that they have dispensed the full amount and should stop. In another embodiment, the signaling apparatus  20  can be slid onto an existing standard “285” spout. 
     Although the foregoing specific details describe various embodiments of the invention, persons reasonably skilled in the art will recognize that various changes may be made in the details of the apparatus of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.