Food viscometer and method of use
AssigneeMed-Diet Laboratories
InventorDonald L. Tymchuck
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The food viscometer of the present invention includes a microprocessor controlled fluid viscometer assembly contained in a housing configured for easy mounting on the upper edge of a glass or other conventional drinking utensil. Projecting from the housing of the food viscometer is a probe that is placed in the liquid contained in the liquid container. The housing adjustably engages a base assembly that permits raising and lowering of the housing to ensure that the probe is placed a predetermined depth into the liquid. The base assembly also securely engages the upper edge of the liquid container to ensure the generally vertical positioning of the probe within the liquid, and also to ensure that the probe is spaced a predetermined minimum distance from the edges of the liquid container.
Claims33
A process for measuring the viscosity of a potable liquid contained in a beverage container using a food viscometer having a body, a base section vertically adjustable relative to the body and having a lower surface for resting contact with the upper edge of the beverage container, and a probe for insertion into the potable liquid, the process comprising the steps of:
- calibrating the food viscometer;
- positioning the lower surface of the base section securely against the upper edge of the beverage container;
- adjusting the height of the body of the food viscometer relative to the base section of the food viscometer so that the probe extends a predetermined distance into the potable liquid contained in the beverage container;
- actuating the food viscometer;
- and
- reading the display of the food viscometer to determine the viscosity of the potable liquid contained in the beverage container.
A device for measuring the viscosity of food substances contained within an open container, the device comprising:
- a housing;
- a base assembly adjustably attached to said housing, said base assembly having an engagement portion for engaging the opening of the food substance container;
- a probe member protruding from said housing;
- a motor within said housing for rotating said probe member at a constant rotation rate, said motor having an output portion;
- a sensor in said housing for detecting the operational characteristics of said motor;
- and
- a display on said housing for displaying a viscosity level based on the readings obtained by said sensor.
A viscosity measurement device for determining the viscosity of a food substance contained in an open container, comprising:
- a housing;
- a probe member extending from the lower surface of the housing for submersion into a portion of the food substance;
- a motor cooperating with the probe to cause rotation of the probe;
- and
- a controller coupled to the motor for controlling the operation of the motor such that the probe rotates at a predetermined velocity, the controller further monitoring the motor to determine the amount of energy required by the motor to maintain the predetermined velocity and calculating a viscosity measurement of the food substance based upon the determined amount of energy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.