Claims:We claim:
1. A spout for a bottle containing a liquid, comprising:
a sensor moduleconfigured to measure an angle of tilt of the bottle and to generate and transmit an angle value indicative of the measured angle of tilt;
a valve configured to open and close a passage of flow of theliquid;
an electric motor that operates the valve; and
a processor connected to the storage device and the accelerometer, said processor configured to:
receive the angle value from the sensor module,
determine whether the angle value is within a predetermined range of angle values,and
instruct the electrical motor to operate for a predetermined time period when the angle value is within the predetermined range of angle values such that the valve opens the passage of flow of the liquid for the predetermined time period to dispense a predetermined amount of the liquid out of the bottle.

2. The spout as claimed in claim 1, including a storage device that stores information about amountof the liquid dispensed.

3. The spout as claimed in claim 2, including a transceiver connected to the processor and the storage device, said transceiver configured to read the information stored in the storage device and to transmit said information through a wireless network.

4. The spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to shut the electrical motor such that the passage of flow of the liquid is closed when the angle value is not within the predetermined range of angle values.

5. The spout as claimed in claim 2, wherein the storage device stores information regarding number of glasses of liquid dispensed and date/timestamp of dispensing the liquid.

6. The spout as claimed in claim 1,wherein a server wirelessly programs the processor through the wireless network to set the predetermined time period.

7. The spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined time period is calculated by the processor.

8. The spout as claimed in claim 6, wherein the predetermined time period is dependent on viscosity or density of the liquid.

9. The spout as claimed in one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, wherein the predetermined range of angle values extends from 30 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to horizontal position.

10. The spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor module includes an accelerometer.

11. The spout as claimed in claim 1, including a switch to detect whether the spout is fitted to the bottle.

12. The spout as claimed in claim 1, including a conductivity sensor to detect presence or absence of the liquid in the bottle.

13. The spout as claimed in claim 1, including a rechargeable battery that powers the processor and the sensor module.

14. The spout as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spout can be fitted with cork seals of various sizes.

15. A method of dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid from a bottle, said method comprising:
determining, by an accelerometer, an angle of tilt of the bottle;
generating, by the accelerometer, an angle value indicative of the angle of tilt of the bottle;
determining, by a processor, whether the angle value is within a predetermined range of angle values; and
operating an electrical motor for a predetermined time period when the angle value is within the predetermined range of angle values such that a passage of flow of the liquid is opened for the predetermined time period to dispense a predetermined amount of the liquid out of the bottle.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:
storing, in a storage device, information about amount of the liquid dispensed.

17. A method of monitoring an amount of liquid dispensed from a bottle, said method comprising:
the method of dispensing the predetermined amount of liquid from the bottle as claimed in claim 14; and
transmitting, by a transceiver, said information through a wireless network.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, including shutting the electrical motor such that the passage of flow of the liquid is closed when the angle value is not within the predetermined range of angle values.

19. The method as claimed in claim 17, including wirelessly programming the processor, by a server, to set the predetermined time period through the wireless network.

20. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the predetermined time period is dependent on viscosity or density of the liquid.
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

SPOUT;

KNOX INNOVATIONS LLP, A REGISTERED COMPANY UNDER THE LAWS OF INDIA, WITH ADDRESS: 4 BRADY GLADY'S PLAZA, 1/447 SENAPATI BAPAT MARG, LOWER PAREL, MUMBAI 400 013 - INDIA.

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER INWHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to dispensing means for dispensing liquid from a bottle and particularly to a spout.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Bottle spouts or pourers are used for pouring liquids from bottles. The spout is generally used to prevent spillage of the liquidswhile pouring from the bottle to a glass. Using the spouts is especially important while dispensing expensive beverages such as alcoholic beverages which are priced according to the dispensed volumes such as 30 ml, 100 ml, or 250 ml.This greatly assists in serving the alcoholic beverages in large setups such as restaurants, bars, and hotels where numerous glasses of the alcoholic beverages are served frequently.
Conventional spouts are simple mechanical devices that allow the pouring of liquid as long as the bottle is tilted. Using such a spout, expensive liquid is poured into a measuring cylinder andthereafter, the liquid is transferred to a glass in which it is either served or mixed with other liquids.Therefore, using such spouts consumes a lot of time and is also a tedious taskas measuring a fixed amount of the liquid is manual which may lead to delivering of less or more liquid. Also, this process maycause spilling of the expensive liquid.
To overcome above problem, various type of spouts have been invented to deliver fixed amount of the liquid. US Patent No. 3233797 discloses a measuringspout comprisinga small-sized ball is provided in a plug, of a predetermined size, placed within the spout. When the spout is tilted beyond horizontal position, the liquid is introduced into the plug by way of an opening in the plug. This discharges the vacuum within the plug and causes the ball to move towards a base of the spout. The rate of movement of the ball is controlled by the size of the plug and the size of the opening in the plug. When the ball reaches the base of the spout, the flow of liquid is stopped, thereby pouring a fixed quantity of liquid. Accordingly, plugs of different sizes are required for dispensing different quantities of the liquid. Further, the spout is an entirely a mechanical setup and includes transparent material such as glass. Moreover, the spout cannot pour equal amount of liquid at different angles of tilt. Hence, the amount of liquid poured by the spout is different at different angles, which makes the spout unreliable for practical purposes. Moreover, the plug in the spout has to be changed or swapped for changing the amount of liquid dispensed. This is very cumbersome and consumes a lot of time. The spout also contains moving parts with tight tolerances, which may lead to blockage or clogging of the mechanical parts within the spout.
In one another US Patent No. 8695858a measuring spout is described comprisinga metal ball is used in an air valve with magnetic component. In such a measuring spout, the metal ball is used for controlling the inlet of air through the spout into the bottle. When the bottle is upright, the magnetic component holds the bottle in a fixed position such that the air inlet is closed. When the bottle is tilted, the magnetic component slides away from the metal ball such that the air inlet is opened while the liquid is being poured from the bottle. The measuring spout controls the amount of liquid dispensed by measuring the flow of the liquid and thereby operating a pinch valve to open/close the tube through which the liquid is dispensed. However, the air valve used in the spout is very complex and bulky.
As described above, the presently available spouts are very difficult to use and maintain, and have very complex mechanisms. The spouts are also bulky and cumbersome. Moreover, the presently available spouts maynot dispense exact quantities of liquid, and hence, are inconsistent in dispensing the liquid.
Therefore, there is a need for a spout that enables monitoring the amount of liquid dispensed as well as overcomes at least one of the drawbacks of the presently available spouts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an embodiment of the present invention, a spout is provided. The spout is fitted to a neck of a bottle. The spout includes a storage device, a sensor module, a valve actuated by an electric motor, and a processor. The sensor module measures an angle of tilt of the bottle and generates an angle value which indicates the angle of tilt of the bottle. The valve opens and closes a passage of flow of the liquid. The electrical motor operates the valve. The processor receives the angle value from the senor module and determines whether the angle value is within a predetermined range of angle values. If the angle value is within the predetermined range of angle values, the processor instructs the electrical motor to operate for a predetermined time period such that the valve opens the passage of flow of the liquid for the predetermined time period to dispense a predetermined amount of the liquid out of the bottle. The processor stores information about the amount of liquid dispensed in the storage device.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the spout may include a transceiver. The transceiver reads the information stored in the storage device and transmits the information through a wireless network.
In an embodiment of the present invention, when the angle value is not within the predetermined range of angle values, the processor shuts the electrical motor such that the passage of flow of the liquid is closed when the angle value is not within the predetermined range of angle values.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the storage device stores information regarding number of glasses of liquid dispensed and date/timestamp of dispensing the liquid.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a server wirelessly programs the processor through the wireless network to set the predetermined time period.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined time period is calculated by the processor.
In anotherexemplary embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined time period is dependent on viscosity or density of the liquid.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined range of angle values extends from 30 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to horizontal position.
In an example, the sensor module includes an accelerometer.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the spout may include a switch to detect whether the spout is fitted to the bottle.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the spout may include a conductivity sensor to detect presence or absence of the liquid in the bottle.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the spout may include a rechargeable battery that powers the processor and the sensor module.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the spout can be fitted with cork seals of various sizes.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid from a bottle is provided. The method includes determining an angle of tilt of the bottle by an accelerometer. Thereafter, the accelerometer generates an angle value indicative of the angle of tilt of the bottle. A processor determines whether the angle value is within a predetermined range of angle values. If the angle value is within the predetermined range of angle values, the processor instructs the electrical motor to operate for a predetermined time period such that a passage of flow of the liquid is opened for the predetermined time period to dispense a predetermined amount of the liquid out of the bottle. The method further includes storing information about amount of the liquid dispensed in a storage device.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of monitoring an amount of liquid dispensed from a bottle is provided. The method includes the method of dispensing the predetermined amount of liquid from the bottle. Further, the method includes transmitting the information by a transceiver through a wireless network.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the method may include shutting the electrical motor such that the passage of flow of the liquid is closed when the angle value is not within the predetermined range of angle values.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the method may include wirelessly programming the processor, by a server, to set the predetermined time period through the wireless network.
In an embodiment of the present invention the predetermined time period is dependent on viscosity or density of the liquid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments:
Figure 1 shows a spout in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows an oblique view of a spout in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows an exploded view depicting internal components of a spout in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a bottle having a spout attached therein in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention; and
Figure 5 shows a flowchart depicting a method of dispensing liquid from a spout in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Although specific terms are used in the following description for the sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the particular structure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.
References in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” member that a particular feature, structure, characteristics, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
In general, the invention provides a spout for dispensing and monitoring amount of liquid dispensed through the bottle.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a spout is provided. The spout includes a valve operated by an electrical motor, a flexible tube, an accelerometer, and a processor. The spout is removably attached to a neck of a bottle. The accelerometer detects an angle of tilt of the bottle. When the angle of tilt of the bottle is within a predefined range, the processor instructs the electrical motor to operate for a predetermined time period such that the motor opens the valve so that liquid flows through the tube and a predetermined volume of liquid is dispensed from the spout.
When the angle of tilt is not within the predetermined range, the processor instructs the motor to close the valve, thereby shutting the tube such that the liquid is not dispensed from the spout.
In an embodiment, the spout may include a wireless transceiver that enables the spout to communicate with external servers in internet through wireless networks, such as Wi-Fi.
In an embodiment, the spout may include a storage device coupled with the processor. The data regarding the amount of liquid dispensed and time of dispensing is stored in the storage device. The storage device may also store a firmware, an operating system, or instructions executable by the processor. The storage device is accessible to the server and the server may wirelessly erase or format the storage device.
In an embodiment, the spout may include either rechargeable or disposable batteries.The spout may include a charging port for recharging the battery. The charging port may also include a data transfer port, examples of which include a micro-USB port or a USB-C port, which enables the spout to establish wired communication link with external computers.
In an embodiment, the firmware stored in the storage device may be wirelessly changed, modified, or updated by the external servers through the wireless network.
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2,a spout (100) is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The spout (100) includes a body (102), a charging port (104), a switch (106), a lower body (108), a cork seal (110), an air valve (112), and an outlet (202).
Referring now to Figure 3, an exploded view of the spout (100) is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The spout (100) includes a main PCB board (302), a wireless transceiver (304), a storage device (306), a tube (308), and a valve (310) operated by a motor.
Referring now to Figure 4, the spout (100) attached to a bottle (402) is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The spout (100) is fitted on a neck (404) of the bottle (402).
The spout (100) includes a processor and a plurality of various sensors, such as an accelerometer and a conductivity sensor (not shown in the figures).
The internal electronic components within the spout (100), such as the processor, storage device (306), the battery, the charging port (104), the motor, the switch (106) and the sensors are interconnected(interconnections are not shown in the figures).
The body (102) houses all the internal components of the spout (100). The body (102) may be of various shapes and sizes, and is not limited to the shape of the body (102) as depicted in the Figures 1-4. The body may be made from metal or plastic material.
The charging port (104) is used for charging the battery. The battery may be a rechargeable and/or replaceable battery including a Li-ion battery. Examples of the charging port (104) include micro-USB port, USB port, and USB-C port.
The opening (202) is connected to the tube (308) through which the liquid flows out of the bottle (402). Advantageously, the tube (308) is a silicone tube and is flexible.
The storage device (306) stores information regarding the amount of liquid dispensed through the spout (100). The storage device (306) may also store information regarding number of glasses of liquid poured and date/timestamp of dispensing the liquid. The storage device (306) may also store the information received from the switch (106) regarding the removal of the spout (100) from the bottle (402). Further, the storage device (306) stores a program executable by the processor that causes the processor to control the operation of the motor to result into dispensing of a predetermined amount of liquid through the spout (100).
The accelerometer detects an angle of tilt of the bottle (402). The accelerometer generates an angle value indicative of the angle of tilt of the bottle (402) and transmits the angle value to the processor. The processor receives the angle value and determines whether the angle value is within a predetermined range of angle values. When the processor determines that the angle value is within the predetermined range of angle values, the processor instructs the motor to open the valve (310) for a predetermined time period. Hence, the valve (310) opens the tube (308) such that a predetermined amount of liquid is dispensed form the bottle (402). In an example, the predetermined angle is 30 degrees or above with respect to horizontal position. In an example, the valve (310) is a pinch valve.
When the processor determines that the angle value is not within the predetermined range of angle values, the processor shuts the motor such that the valve (310) is closed and no liquid is dispensed from the bottle (402). In an example, the predetermined range of angle values extends from 30 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to horizontal position.
The conductivity sensor detects the presence of liquid in the bottle (402). The valve (310) remains closedwhen the conductivity sensor determines that there is no liquid in the bottle (402). The valve (310) can be opened only when the conductivity sensor determines presence of liquid in the bottle (402) and the bottle (402) is tilted within the predetermined range of angles. The air valve (112) allows air to flow into the bottle (402) as liquid comes out of the bottle. In an example, the valve (112) is a check valve.
The valve (310) is controlled by the processor to open the tube (308) for a predetermined time period such that a predetermined amount of liquid is poured through the spout (100). The motor is a dual direction electrical motor with mechanical arms to pinch the tube (308) for controlling the flow of liquid through the tube (308). In an example, the processor calculates the predetermined time period based on the angle of tilt determined by the accelerometer. The predetermined time period may also depend on various factors such as viscosity and density of the liquid.
The spout (100) may connect to a wireless network such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth by way of the wireless transceiver (304). The spout (100) may establish a wireless connection to one or more remote servers by a Wi-Fi network. In an example, the processor reads the information stored in the storage device (306)and transmits the information to a remote server within a Wi-Fi network by way of the wireless transceiver (304). This enables an operator to maintain a record of the information regarding the liquid dispensed through one or more spouts, including the spout (100), at the server.
Further, the switch (106) detects whether the spout (100) is attached to any bottle. The switch (106) is similar to a press button. When the spout (100) is attached to the bottle (402), the switch is pressed, thereby indicating that the bottle (402) is attached to the spout (100). When the spout (100) is removed from the bottle (402), thespout (100) sends an indicator to the server through the wireless network to indicate that the spout (100) is removed to the bottle (402). This helps the operator of the server to identify the chances of theft occurring in the dispensing of the liquid.
Alternatively, the information stored in the storage device (306) may be accessed by an external computer by connecting the spout (100) to the computer by a USB connector. This allows the information to be shared even when the wireless network is not available.
Examples of the storage device (306) include, but are not limited to, nonvolatile and hard-coded type media (for e.g. Read Only Memories (ROMs), compact disks (CD-ROMs), and digital versatile disks (DVD-ROMs)), Erasable and Electrically Programmable Read Only Memories (EEPROMs), and recordable type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, flash drives, memory sticks, memory cards and so on. The storage device (306) is connected to the processor (202).
Examples of the wireless network include, but are not limited to, Wi-Fi, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network, and a general Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network, an enhanced data GSM environment (EDGE) network, 802.5 communication networks, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, or Bluetooth networks.
Advantageously, various sizes of cork seals (110) may be used to fit the spout (100) on various sizes of bottles (402). Hence, a single spout (100) may be reused for multiple bottles by changing the cork seals (110). The spout (100) may also include visual indicators, such as LED or LED display. In an example, a visual indication may be provided when the battery is charging or is fully charged. In another example, a visual indicator such as a picture, a text or a numeral may be provided to indicate the successful dispensing of liquid or to indicate the amount of liquid dispensed.
In operation, the spout (100) is fitted on the neck (404) of the bottle (402). The switch (106) determines that the spout (100) is fitted on the bottle (402). The conductivity sensor determines whether the bottle (402) is filled with liquid or not. When the bottle (402) is tilted, the accelerometer measures the angle of tilt of the bottle(402) and generates the angle value indicative of the angle of tilt of the bottle (402). The processor determines whether the angle value is within the predetermined range of angle values. If the angle value is within the predetermined range, the processor instructs the valve (310) to allow the passage of the liquid for the predetermined time period and thereafter stops the flow of the liquid, thereby ensuring that a predetermined amount of liquid is dispensed accurately. The information regarding the dispensing of the liquid is stored in the storage device (306). The processor accesses the information stored in the storage device (306) and transmits the information to the remote server in the wireless network by way of the wireless transceiver (304).
Referring now to Figure 5, a flowchart depicting a method of dispensing liquid from the spout (100) is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
At step (502), the accelerometer determines the angle of tilt of the bottle (402).
At step (504), the accelerometer generates the angle value indicative of the angle of tilt of the bottle (402).
At step (506), the processor compares the angle value with the predetermined range of angle values.
At step (508), the processor determines whether the angle value is within the predetermined range of angle values.
If at step (508) the processor determines that the angle value is within the predetermined range on angle values, the step (510) is executed.
If at step (508) the processor determines that the angle value is not within the predetermined range on angle values, the step (502) is executed.
At step (510), the processor operates the motor for the predetermined time period.
At step (512), the valve (310) is opened by the motor for the predetermined time period.
At step (514), the predetermined amount of liquid is dispensed from the bottle (402).
At step (516), the processor stores the information about the amount of the liquid dispensed in the storage device (306).
At step (518), the transceiver reads the information from the storage device (306) and transmits the information to the remote server through the wireless network.
It may be understood to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the spout of the present invention is not limited to any particular type of liquids or to any fixed sets of volumes. Moreover, the spout may be controlled by the remote server. Examples of the remote server also include web based application or any webserver.
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the spout of the present invention is used in restaurants or bars to dispense measured amount of alcoholic beverages. The information regarding the dispensed alcoholic beverages, such as the dispensed amount or time of dispensing the alcoholic beverages, may be wirelessly communicated to a server and stored in a restaurant/bar database. In this case, the use of spout enables maintaining a track of the amount of alcoholic beverages dispensed, the number of glasses in which the alcoholic beverages were dispensed, and the date/timestamp of dispensing the alcoholic beverages. This avoids pilferage of the alcoholic beverages and avoids under-serving or over-serving of the alcoholic beverages.
In an exemplary embodiment, the spout of the present invention is used in health/fitness/medical fields to dispense measured amount of liquids, examples of which include tonic, medicinal syrups, or energy drinks. The information regarding the dispensed liquid medicines, such as the amount of dispensed liquid or time of dispensing the liquid, may be wirelessly communicated to a server and stored in a health database or a medical database. This information may be used to keep a track of amount and timings of dosages of the liquid. In this case, use of the spout ensures that accurate amount of the medicinal liquid is dispensed, thereby avoiding under-dosage or over-dosage of liquids.
Therefore, the spout of the present invention is usable in multiple applications and facilitates the monitoring of the amount of liquid dispensed, thereby overcoming the drawback faced by the conventional measuring spouts.
Advantageously, the spout of the present invention dispenses a fixed amount of liquid and provides monitoring of the same, at the server. This is especially important in large setups such as restaurants, bars, and hotels where numerous glasses of the alcoholic beverages are served frequently. Here, the spout may be used to ensure that a fixed volume of alcoholic beverages is served in each glass. This facilitates consistency in dispensing the alcoholic beverages and allows to keep a record of the alcoholic beverages dispensed.
The spout of the present invention helps the operators of the restaurants, bars, and hotels to maintain a track of the amount of alcoholic beverages dispensed, the number of glasses in which the alcoholic beverages were dispensed, and the date/timestamp of dispensing the alcoholic beverages. This avoids pilferage of the alcoholic beverages.
The spout of the present invention can be fixed on bottles of any shapes and sizes. This allows the spout to be reused on multiple bottles of various shapes and sizes.
The spout of the present invention has no moving parts exposed to the liquid, which avoids clogging of the parts within the spout.
The spout of the present invention is a standalone device, and connects directly to the internet by way of wireless communication. Therefore, the spout does not require any intermediate device or controller to connect to the internet.
The spout of the present invention dispenses the predetermined amount of liquid regardless of the angle of tilt of the bottle.
The remote server may also wirelessly erase the information stored in the storage device of the spout. This prevents theft of information when the spout is lost or stolen.
The remote server may also wirelessly program or re-program the processor in the spout. This enables over-the-air firmware updates for the spout.
Further, it will be apparent to one of the ordinary skill in the art that many modifications, improvements and sub-combinations of the various embodiments, adaptations and variations can be made to the invention without departing from the scope thereof as claimed in the following claims: