US3699315A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluid dispensing monitor
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-08-14
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Granted: 1972-10-17
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Expires: 1989-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A device for monitoring the volume of liquid dispensed through a valve and for indicating the equivalent monetary value of the amount of liquid dispensed even through the liquid may be dispensed in glasses and pitchers having different prices per unit volume and even though a different amount of liquid may be required to properly fill consecutive glasses or pitchers. The present fluid dispensing monitor includes a readout which indicates the monetary value of the glass or pitcher before the container is completely filled and ceases operation for a period of time sufficient to enable the glass or pitcher to be completely filled. In addition, the present monitor includes a time delay which delays incrementing of the readout after the start of the dispensing of liquid so that small amounts of liquid may be added to the glasses or pitchers after they are filled.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas J Upton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 06:12
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67D; B67D1/00; B67D1/08; B67D1/0888; G; G07; G07F; G07F15/00; B67D2210/00; B67D2210/00028; B67D2210/00081; B67D2210/00091
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
265 words
A device for monitoring the volume of liquid dispensed in a series of containers having substantially the same size, the liquid being dispensed by an apparatus of the type including a spigot having open and closed positions and an electrical switch which is actuated when said spigot is in its open position, comprising: readout means for indicating the monetary value of the volume of liquid dispensed through said spigot, said readout means being operative, in response to actuation of said switch, to increment the monetary value within a predetermined monetary range at a substantially uniform rate; means operative after a first predetermined interval of time equal to the maximum value in the monetary range for inhibiting the incrementing of said readout means for a second predetermined interval of time, said first interval of time being approximately equal to the shortest time interval required to fill one of said containers; said readout means resumes incrementing the monetary value at a substantially uniform rate upon the expiration of said second predetermined interval of time; and said apparatus is adapted for dispensing said liquid into containers of two different sizes, the larger containers having smaller monetary values per unit volume, further comprising: means operative after a third predetermined interval of time for inhibiting the incrementing of said readout means for a fourth predetermined interval of time, said third interval being longer than said first interval and being equal to the interval required for said readout means to indicate the monetary value of said larger containers, said fourth interval of time being sufficient to completely fill said larger containers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
265 words
A device for monitoring the volume of liquid dispensed in a series of containers having substantially the same size, the liquid being dispensed by an apparatus of the type including a spigot having open and closed positions and an electrical switch which is actuated when said spigot is in its open position, comprising: readout means for indicating the monetary value of the volume of liquid dispensed through said spigot, said readout means being operative, in response to actuation of said switch, to increment the monetary value within a predetermined monetary range at a substantially uniform rate; means operative after a first predetermined interval of time equal to the maximum value in the monetary range for inhibiting the incrementing of said readout means for a second predetermined interval of time, said first interval of time being approximately equal to the shortest time interval required to fill one of said containers; said readout means resumes incrementing the monetary value at a substantially uniform rate upon the expiration of said second predetermined interval of time; and said apparatus is adapted for dispensing said liquid into containers of two different sizes, the larger containers having smaller monetary values per unit volume, further comprising: means operative after a third predetermined interval of time for inhibiting the incrementing of said readout means for a fourth predetermined interval of time, said third interval being longer than said first interval and being equal to the interval required for said readout means to indicate the monetary value of said larger containers, said fourth interval of time being sufficient to completely fill said larger containers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said first interval of time starts concurrently with the actuation of said switch and wherein said second interval of time starts at the termination of said first interval of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said first predetermined interval of time is adjustable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 1 further comprising: time delay means interposed between said switch and said readout means for delaying for a third predetermined interval of time the incrementing of said indicated value after actuation of said switch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said third iNterval of time starts concurrently with said first interval of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said fourth interval of time includes an interval of time which is approximately equal to the difference between the shortest and longest intervals required to fill one of said larger containers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said first, third and fourth intervals of time are adjustable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said readout means resumes incrementing the monetary value at a substantially uniform rate upon the expiration of said fourth predetermined interval of time.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
154 words
A device for monitoring the volume of liquid dispensed by an apparatus of the type including a spigot having open and closed positions and an electrical switch which is actuated when said spigot is in its open position, comprising: circuit means responsive to the actuation of said switch for generating a train of pulses, each of said pulses indicative of a fixed monetary amount; readout means responsive to said train of pulses for indicating the monetary value of the volume of liquid dispensed through said spigot; means for counting the number of pulses in said train of pulses; means responsive to the number of counted pulses reaching a predetermined count for deactivating said generating means for a first predetermined interval of time; and said means for deactivating said generating means is further operative to reset said counting means; said generating means and said counting means resuming operation after said first predetermined interval of time.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
154 words
A device for monitoring the volume of liquid dispensed by an apparatus of the type including a spigot having open and closed positions and an electrical switch which is actuated when said spigot is in its open position, comprising: circuit means responsive to the actuation of said switch for generating a train of pulses, each of said pulses indicative of a fixed monetary amount; readout means responsive to said train of pulses for indicating the monetary value of the volume of liquid dispensed through said spigot; means for counting the number of pulses in said train of pulses; means responsive to the number of counted pulses reaching a predetermined count for deactivating said generating means for a first predetermined interval of time; and said means for deactivating said generating means is further operative to reset said counting means; said generating means and said counting means resuming operation after said first predetermined interval of time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A device according to claim 9 further comprising: time delay means interposed between said electrical switch and said generating means for delaying the generation of said train of pulses for an initial predetermined interval of time when said electrical switch is actuated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device according to claim 9 wherein said predetermined count of pulses is adjustable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 9 wherein the spacing between said pulses in said train of pulses is adjustable.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
172 words
A device for monitoring the volume of liquid dispensed by an apparatus of the type including a spigot having open and closed positions and an electrical switch which is actuated when said spigot is in its open position, comprising: circuit means responsive to the actuation of said switch for generating a train of pulses, each of said pulses indicative of a fixed monetary amount; readout means responsive to said train of pulses for indicating the monetary value of the volume of liquid dispensed through said spigot; means for counting the number of pulses in said train of pulses; means responsive to the number of counted pulses reaching a predetermined count for deactivating said generating means for a first predetermined interval of time; and said counting means comprising: a capacitor which is charged one step at a time by each of said pulses in said train of pulses; and means responsive to the charge on said capacitor reaching a predetermined value for generating a signal, said signal being applied to said deactivating means.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
172 words
A device for monitoring the volume of liquid dispensed by an apparatus of the type including a spigot having open and closed positions and an electrical switch which is actuated when said spigot is in its open position, comprising: circuit means responsive to the actuation of said switch for generating a train of pulses, each of said pulses indicative of a fixed monetary amount; readout means responsive to said train of pulses for indicating the monetary value of the volume of liquid dispensed through said spigot; means for counting the number of pulses in said train of pulses; means responsive to the number of counted pulses reaching a predetermined count for deactivating said generating means for a first predetermined interval of time; and said counting means comprising: a capacitor which is charged one step at a time by each of said pulses in said train of pulses; and means responsive to the charge on said capacitor reaching a predetermined value for generating a signal, said signal being applied to said deactivating means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 13 wherein said means for deactivating said generating means is further operative to reset said counting means; said generating means and said counting means resuming operation after said first predetermined interval of time.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device according to claim 13 further comprising: means for counting the number of times said generating means is deactivated; means responsive to said generating means being deactivated for a predetermined number of times for changing the value of said predetermined count of pulses; and means responsive to the number of counted pulses reaching the new predetermined count for deactivating said generating means for a second predetermined interval of time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 13 wherein said means for changing the value of said predetermIned count of pulses is further operative to reset said means for counting the number of times said generating means is deactivated; said generating means and both said counting means resuming operation after said second predetermined interval of time.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-17 | 1976-04-17 | 1976-10-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-17 | 1980-04-17 | 1980-10-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-17 | 1984-04-17 | 1984-10-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |