Device for monitoring a beverage consumption level
View Patent ↗A device which detects or senses liquid level in a beverage containment vessel, and produces either light, audio or a data output based on the liquid level being equal to or less than a predetermined level. The device, in practice, preferably retains the shape of the beverage containment vessel (e.g., cylindrical), and have an outer housing of opaque or semi-translucent material. The device is either integrated into a new beverage containment vessel, or retrofitted to existing vessels. The device is powered by battery, and can be switched on, off, or into various operating modes by internal switching mechanism.
1. An apparatus for sensing the level of a liquid in a container for human beverage consumption, the apparatus comprising:
a housing;
a single non-immersed proportional angular displacement sensor being disposed in proximity to the beverage container to detect a level of the liquid while said beverage container is in use;
and an alarm in communication with said sensor, wherein the alarm emits at least one signal when the sensor detects that the level of the liquid is equal or less than a predetermine level.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is disposed in proximity to a bottom portion of the container.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is at least one selected from the group consisting of:
a light, a colored light, a colored light that is emitted through the liquid, audio, and any combinations thereof.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further a data input device for end user programming of the apparatus, wherein the data input performs at least one function selected from the group consisting of:
turning the apparatus on or off,
setting the operational mode of the apparatus,
and programming the apparatus.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the data input device is a magnetic switch.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the data input device is a switch or sensor that generates a pulse code for programming the apparatus.
7. The apparatus method of claim 1 , wherein the alarm is at least one selected from the group consisting of:
a visual alarm, an audible alarm, an electronic signal, a sensory perceptible alarm, a horn, a flashing light, a message, an electronic message, a tactile signal, a chirp, and any combinations thereof.
8. The apparatus method of claim 1 , further comprising a step of programming the container for beverage consumption, wherein the programming step is at least one step selected from the group consisting of:
turning the container on or off,
setting the operational mode of the container,
and programming the container.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the programming is performed by a data input device which is a magnetic switch.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the data input device is a magnetic switch that generates a pulse code for programming the apparatus.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is disposed in a kit for connection to the container.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is disposed within a coaster.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is disposed within a handheld container.
14. An apparatus which indicates that a beverage refill is required, the apparatus comprising:
a container for human beverage consumption, having a single non-immersed proportional angular displacement sensor that detects an amount of the beverage in the beverage container while said container is in use,
and wherein the sensor is in communication with an alarm emits a signal in response to a level of the beverage which is equal to or less than a predetermined level.