Method and device for inventory control of a dispensed liquid
OwnerPera Odishooinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and device are provided for controlling and reconciling a liquid inventory, such as a volume of liquid dispensed from a container. The device secures a pour spout for dispensing a predetermined amount of liquid to a container opening, such that the spout may not be removed without detection. The device includes a counting mechanism to count and indicate the total number of pours from the container for use in sales and inventory reconciliation.
Claims18
A security device for sealing a pour spout to a liquor bottle, the security device comprising:
- a first portion having a base portion and a ring member, the ring member extending from a first end of the base portion, the ring member being configured to secure the pourer to the bottle;
- a counting mechanism coupled to the base portion, the counting mechanism operative to detect the bottle adjusting from a first position to a second position, one of the positions being a position to dispense liquor from the bottle;
- and
- a container attachment member extending from a second end of the base portion, the attachment member including a strap configured to surround a portion of the bottle, wherein the strap further comprises a plurality of ratchet teeth and the container attachment member further comprises a fastening member configured to affix the strap around the container in a locked loop by engaging at least one of the plurality of ratchet teeth.
A device for securing a pour spout to a container opening, the pour spout configured to dispense a predetermined amount of liquid per pour, the device comprising:
- a first portion having a base portion and a ring member, the ring member extending from a first end of the base portion, the ring member being configured to surround a portion of the pour spout;
- a container attachment member extending from a second end of the base portion, the container attachment member permanently affixing the device to the container such that removal of the pour spout is inhibited, wherein the container attachment member includes a strap member having a plurality of ratchet teeth, the strap member being configured to surround a portion of the container, and a fastening member configured to affix the device to the container by engaging at least one of the plurality of ratchet teeth on the strap member to form a locked loop around the container;
- and
- wherein the container attachment member comprises one or more branches having adhesive on a side thereof for bonding the device to the container.
A method for inventory control of a liquid dispensed from a container, the method comprising:
- providing a device for sealing a dispenser to a container having a known quantity of liquid, the dispenser configured to dispense a predetermined amount of liquid per pour, and the device operative to count and indicate the total number of pours;
- disposing the device onto the dispenser to engage with at least a portion of the dispenser, wherein the device includes a container attachment member extending from a second end of the base portion, the attachment member having a plurality of ratchet teeth and a fastening member;
- securing the device to a portion of the container such that removal of the dispenser from the container is inhibited, the securing step additionally comprising engaging at least one of the plurality of ratchet teeth to the fastening member to affix the device to the container;
- detecting the container adjusting from a first position to a second position, the second position being a position to pour liquid from the container;
- and
- indicating the total number of pours via a display coupled to the device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.