GB2609047A

GB2609047A - Eumelia smart pourer

Info

Publication number: GB2609047A
Application number: GB2110469.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Green Steve; Holland Damian
Original assignee: Eumelia Ltd; Paul Tyrer
Current assignee: Eumelia Ltd; Paul Tyrer
Priority date: 2021-07-21
Filing date: 2021-07-21
Publication date: 2023-01-25
Also published as: GB2609047A8; GB202110469D0

Abstract

An apparatus 10 for dispensing liquid from a bottle 40, the apparatus comprises a measuring sub assembly 30 and an electronics sub assembly 20. The measuring sub assembly comprises a hollow shaft 34 and a housing 32 defining at least one measuring chamber and for receiving the shaft. The shaft receives liquid from the bottle at a first end and dispenses liquid from a second end. The shaft has a transverse dividing wall and first and second openings disposed in its sidewall on opposite sides of the dividing wall. The chamber partially surrounds the shaft and includes an open inner side. The electronics sub assembly comprises a detector for detecting a change in the orientation of the bottle, and a drive unit configured to rotate the hollow shaft within the housing. In response to the detection of a predefined change in orientation, the drive unit rotates the shaft to one of a plurality of rotational positions so as to provide selective communication of liquid between the shaft and the chamber through one of the first and second openings. A locking collar 50 is also provided for engaging an apparatus to a bottle 40.

Description

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING LIQUID FROM A BOTTLE AND LOCKING COLLAR THEREFOR

Field

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for dispensing liquid from a bottle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for attachment to a bottle for dispensing a measured volume of liquid, such as a beverage, from the bottle. Embodiments are adapted to enable liquid to be dispensed from a bottle via the apparatus by means of a simple pouring action. The present disclosure further relates to a collar to provide secure engagement of the apparatus to the bottle and to prevent removal during use.

Background

In the hospitality industry, it is common to serve customers with a defined volume of a beverage from a bottle. For example, alcoholic beverages such as wine or spirits must be served in measured quantities (called "measures") corresponding to allowable volumes for selling the beverage as defined in legislation. Typically, a full bottle contains a large number of measures of the beverage it contains, and so may be used intermittently over a time period before it is empty.

Conventional techniques for dispensing measures of alcoholic beverages have a number of problems. For example, one technique is for the server to pour the beverage from the bottle into a measuring container or glass having a level indicator corresponding to the measured volume. However, this technique is prone to human error and is time consuming. In particular, the server needs to take time and care to ensure that the liquid is poured to the precise level of the indicator, and, when using a measuring container, the full volume is transferred to a glass. This is difficult when the server is in a hurry, and overpouring or spilling may occur leading to wastage. Another technique is to mount the bottle in an inverted position and to use an automatic measuring device, such as a so-called "optics-type" device, to deliver the measured volume of liquid from the bottle into a glass. However, this technique is inflexible. In particular, each bottle must be mounted in a fixed position within a serving environment, and must be replaced with a new bottle when empty.

This consumes space within the serving environment and is awkward and time consuming for the server. In addition, such mounting it is not suitable for every type of bottle (e.g., unusually shaped bottled or bottles containing refrigerated beverages such as chilled wine). In addition, none of these known techniques prevent a server from dispensing measures of alcoholic beverages to customers for which payment has not been received.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved technique for dispensing a measured volume of a beverage from a bottle.

Summary

Aspects of the present invention are defined in the appended independent claims.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides an apparatus for dispensing liquid from a bottle. The apparatus comprises a measuring assembly and an electronics assembly. The measuring assembly comprises a hollow shaft and a housing configured to receive the shaft. The hollow shaft comprises a first (open) end configured to receive liquid from the bottle and a second (open) end configured to dispense liquid. The hollow shaft further comprises a sidewall defining a longitudinally extending central aperture. The sidewall of the shaft has first and second slots disposed on (diametrically) opposite sides of the central aperture. The shaft comprises a transverse dividing wall extending across its central aperture such that the first slot extends on a first side of the dividing wall (e.g., adjacent the first end) and the second slot extends on a second, opposite side of the dividing wall (e.g., adjacent the second end). The housing defines a chamber that is configured to hold a measured volume of liquid. The chamber comprises an inner wall partially surrounding the shaft such that the chamber is (at least partly) open on one inner side adjacent the hollow shaft. The electronics assembly comprises a detector for detecting a change in the orientation of the bottle. The electronics assembly further comprises a drive unit configured to rotate the hollow shaft within the housing. The drive unit is configured to rotate the hollow shaft in response to the detector detecting a predefined change in the orientation of the bottle. Rotation of the hollow shaft selectively provides communication of liquid between the hollow shaft and the chamber through one of the first and second slots.

The transverse dividing wall defines a part of the hollow shaft proximal the bottle and a part of the hollow shaft distal from the bottle. The first slot extends adjacent the proximal part of the hollow shaft and the second slot extends adjacent the distal part of the hollow shaft.

In a first rotational position of the shaft, the first slot is adjacent the open inner side of the chamber such that liquid flows from proximal part of the hollow shaft to fill the chamber. In a second rotational position of the shaft, the second slot is adjacent the open inner side of the chamber such that liquid flows from the chamber into the distal part of the hollow shaft so as to dispense the measured volume of liquid. In a third rotational position of the shaft, neither of the first and second slots is adjacent the open inner side of the chamber to prevent flow of liquid between the central aperture of the hollow shaft and the chamber. Each rotational position may be separated by 90°. For example, the first and second rotational positions may be separated by 180° and each of the first and second rotational positions may be separated by 90° with a third rotational position.

Accordingly, the apparatus comprises a pourer that can be attached to a bottle. A chamber of the pourer can receive and store a measured volume of liquid from the bottle by changing the orientation of the bottle. For example, the change in orientation may be a predetermined change from a substantially upright position to a substantially inverted pouring position or vice versa. Detection of a predetermined change causes a first valve (i.e., the first slot) to open, to fill the chamber. Similarly, the measured volume of liquid can be to be dispensed from the chamber by changing the orientation of the bottle. Detection of a predetermined change causes a second valve (i.e., the second slot) to open, to empty the chamber. Thus, a measured volume of liquid can be dispensed from the bottle by means of a simple pouring action, for example directly into a glass. Thus, an accurately measured volume of liquid, such as a beverage, may be dispensed from the bottle without the risk of overpouring or spilling. In addition, since the pourer is attached to the bottle rather than within a mounting as in an optics-type device, the bottle is portable and can be moved to any position within a serving environment.

In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second slot extends longitudinally in the sidewall of the hollow shaft. The width of the at least one of the first and second slots may be constant, or the width may vary along its length.

In embodiments, the chamber is configured to facilitate the outward flow of liquid into the distal part of the hollow shaft. For example, the outer wall surrounding the chamber may be sloped or curved inwardly towards the open inner side of the chamber. This may improve the flow of more viscous liquids.

At least a part of the outer wall surrounding the chamber may be transparent. The measuring sub-assembly may include a viewing window. Thus, a volume of liquid contained inside the chamber may be visible externally through the viewing window and/or transparent outer wall of the chamber.

In embodiments, the housing defines first and second chambers, each configured to hold the measured volume of liquid. The first and second chambers may be positioned on opposite sides of the shaft. In consequence, the second chamber may be automatically filled with liquid whilst the measured volume of liquid is dispensed from the first chamber, and vice vera.

The first slot may be larger than the second slot. This ensures that the chamber receiving liquid from the proximal part of the hollow shaft is always completely filled before the chamber dispensing the liquid to the distal part of the hollow shaft is completely empty.

The drive unit may comprise a rotary motor or actuator associated with a transmission mechanism arranged to rotate the shaft. The drive unit may rotate the hollow shaft in a first direction. Rotation of the hollow shaft may be in predefined steps or increments, for example steps of a predefined angle such as 90°. The transmission mechanism may comprise gears, a transmission belt or the like. A portable power source may be housed in the housing of the electronics sub assembly. The detector may comprise an accelerometer.

In embodiments, a controller is provided. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the accelerometer indicating a predetermined change in the orientation of the pourer, and to provide a drive signal to the drive unit to cause a predetermined angular rotation of the hollow shaft in a first direction. The controller may further enable and disable the operation of the pourer. A counter associated with the controller may keep count of the number of rotations (e.g., steps) of the hollow shaft. In embodiments, the controller and accelerometer may be mounted on a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board may include signal lines between the accelerometer and the motor and/or power lines between the power source and the motor. The printed circuit board may additionally include a wireless communications device. The wireless communications device may receive signals from an external source that cause operation of the pourer to be enabled or disabled.

Accordingly, it is possible to control the operation of the pourer, in particular when the server can dispense a measured volume of liquid and how many measures can be dispensed. For example, the pourer can be enabled in response to an authorisation signal indicating that payment has been received for a number of measures of the beverage contained in the bottle to which the pourer is attached. The pourer can be disabled after the authorised number of measures have been dispensed by the pourer.

Accordingly, there is provided an electronically operated pourer configured to be attached to a bottle for receiving and dispensing a measured volume of liquid therefrom. The pourer has at least measuring chamber. A first valve is operable to allow liquid to be received into the measuring chamber from the bottle. A second valve is operable to allow liquid to be dispensed from the measuring chamber by the pourer. Only one of the first and second values is open at a time. The first and second valves are electronically operated to control the dispensing of liquid by the pourer. In particular, the first and second valves are configured to be electronically driven to be (alternately) opened and closed in response to the detection of a predefined change in orientation of the bottle/pourer. The pourer may be configured to be controlled so as to engage and/or disengage operation thereof in response to a signal received over a wireless communication system, so as to prevent the pourer from dispensing a measured volume of liquid (i.e., without authorisation).

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a collar for providing engagement between a pourer and a bottle. The pourer may be configured to be connected to the neck of the bottle. The collar comprises an inner surface including a first part having an internal split ring defining a first central opening configured to surround the neck of the bottle and a second part defining a second central opening, which is larger than the first central opening, configured to surround a first end of the pourer. The second part has an inner screw thread configured to engage a complementary outer screw thread on an outer surface at the first end of pourer. The internal split ring is resiliently deformable such that, when the inner screw thread is tightened on the outer screw thread, an inner surface of the pourer deforms the internal split ring so that the internal split ring clamps against the neck of the bottle.

Accordingly, the collar provides screw threaded engagement to the apparatus and clamping engagement to the neck of the bottle, thereby providing secure engagement between the pourer and the bottle during use.

In embodiments, the second part of the inner surface of the collar further comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs. Each rib has an asymmetric profile. The longitudinally extending ribs are configured to cooperate with a latching member of a locking mechanism of the pourer in a ratchet arrangement.

In embodiments, the collar is used together with a locking mechanism at a fixed position on the pourer. In particular, in embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a lock sub assembly comprising a reciprocating bar configured to reciprocate along its length, and a biasing member configured to bias the reciprocating bar in a first direction. In use, the lock sub assembly is mounted within the first end of the pourer so that the reciprocating bar extends radially between an inner end and an outer end thereof. The biasing member is arranged to bias the outer end of the reciprocating bar radially outwardly against the inner surface of the locking collar. The outer end of the reciprocating bar forms an outer latching member for ratchet engagement with the longitudinally extending ribs on the second part of the inner surface of the collar.

Thus, an aspect of the present disclosure provides a locking assembly for providing locking engagement between a pourer and a bottle, the assembly comprising a collar and a locking mechanism comprising the lock sub assembly.

In embodiments of the locking assembly, the inner end of the reciprocating bar of the lock sub assembly is configured to cooperate with an outer surface of a cam member arranged around an axis thereof. Optionally the axis of the cam member corresponds to an axis of the bottle and/or pourer.

In some embodiments of the locking assembly, the lock sub assembly comprises a second biasing member configured to bias the reciprocating bar in a second direction, opposite to the first direction. Thus, the second biasing member is arranged to bias the inner end of reciprocating bar radially inwardly against the outer surface of the cam member.

Another aspect provides a pourer for attachment to a bottle comprising the locking assembly. The pourer has a shaft extending longitudinally therethrough and configured for rotation about an axis thereof. The cam member is joined to the shaft for rotation therewith.

In embodiments, the outer surface of the cam member further comprises a notch extending radially inwardly and configured to engage an inner latching member at the inner end of the reciprocating bar.

Further aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to the skilled person from the following description and accompanying claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of aspects of the present invention are described below, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is perspective side view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective side view of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figures 3A and 3B are schematic first and second longitudinal cross sections through the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 4A is a transverse cross section through the measuring sub-assembly taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3B of the apparatus of Figure 1, and Figure 48 is a central longitudinal cross section through the hollow shaft; Figures 5A and 5B are first and second side views of the measuring sub assembly of the apparatus of Figure 1 at a first stage of operation; Figures 6A and 6B are corresponding first and second side views of the measuring sub assembly at a second stage of operation; Figures 7A and 7B are corresponding first and second side views of the measuring sub assembly at a third stage of operation; Figures 8A and 8B are corresponding first and second side views of the measuring sub assembly at a fourth stage of operation; Figures 9A and 9B are corresponding first and second side views of the measuring sub assembly at a fifth stage of operation; Figure 10 is a perspective side view of a locking collar in accordance with an embodiment; Figures 11A and 118 are schematic longitudinal cross sections through locking collar of Figure 10 at different stages of engagement between the apparatus and a bottle; Figure 12A is a schematic side view of a lock sub-assembly and Figure 12B is a perspective view of a cam member for use in conjunction with the locking collar of Figure 10; Figures 13A-C are transverse cross sections along line 13-13 of Figure 3A showing the operation of the locking collar on the assembled apparatus of Figures 3A and 3B at different stages of use; Figure 14 is a perspective view of the locking collar attached to the apparatus with a cut away to show a release mechanism; Figures 15A and 15B are a schematic side views showing the engagement of the apparatus and bottle when the locking collar is moved to its final position for use, and Figures 16A and 16B show enlarged views of the operation of a switch in Figures 15A and 15B. Detailed Description

POURER FOR MEASURING AND DISPENSING LIQUID FROM A BOTTLE

Overview of Configuration, Assembly and Operation Figures land 2 show an arrangement comprising an apparatus 10 for dispensing liquid from a bottle 40, and a locking collar 50 for providing secure engagement between the apparatus 10 and the bottle 40, in accordance with an embodiment. Figure 1 shows the components of the arrangement assembled for use, and Figure 2 shows the separated components of the arrangement prior to assembly for use as in Figure 1.

The arrangement is configured so that liquid may be dispensed from the bottle 40 via the apparatus 10 by means of a simple pouring action. Thus, the apparatus 10 is referred to herein as a "pourer".

Pourer 10 comprises an electronics sub assembly 20 and a measuring sub assembly 30.

The electronics sub assembly 20 comprises electronic components that operate the pourer 10, as described in further detail below, and a housing 22. Housing 22 fully surrounds the electronic components and is configured to prevent the electronic components of the pourer 10 from coming into contact with liquid from the bottle 40 so that the internal electronics remain dry at all times. In particular, housing 22 comprises walls defining a generally circular cap portion 222 and opposed first and second leg portions 224 and 226. Cap portion 222 comprises walls defining a generally annular space for housing electronic components and an elongate spout 24 extending therefrom, as described below. Each of the first and second leg portions 224, 226 extends from the cap portion 222, and comprises walls defining a respective space for housing further components of the electronics sub assembly 20, as described below.

The measuring sub assembly 30 comprises a fluid chamber housing 32, a hollow shaft 34, a shaft gear 36 and a hollow stopper 38. The fluid chamber housing 32 is configured to receive the hollow shaft 34 through its centre. The hollow stopper 38 is configured to be received inside an open neck 45 of bottle 40. The hollow shaft 34 has open ends and is divided into a proximal part 302 and a distal part 304 by a transverse dividing wall 348 across its central aperture (see e.g., Figure 4B). The hollow stopper 38 is further configured to be attached at the open end of the proximal part 302 of the hollow shaft 34. The distal part 304 of the hollow shaft 34 is configured to be received inside the elongate spout 24 of the housing 22 of the electronics sub assembly 20. In the illustrated arrangement, the shaft gear 36 is arranged around the proximal part 302 of the hollow shaft 34 at a position between the fluid chamber housing 32 and the stopper 38. In other arrangements, the shaft gear 36 may be positioned around the distal part 304 of the hollow shaft 34. The shaft gear 36 is configured to rotate the hollow shaft 34 inside the fluid chamber housing 32 during operation of the pourer 10, as described below. In the illustrated embodiment of the pourer 10, the legs portions 224, 226 of the housing 22 of the electronic sub assembly 20 partially surround, and extend along the axial length of, opposite sides of fluid chamber housing 32 (see e.g., Figure 4A). The fluid chamber housing 32 comprises at least one chamber between inner side(s) adjacent the hollow shaft 34 and outer wall(s) defining a volume corresponding to a predefined volume of liquid to be dispensed from the bottle 40. An outer wall of the fluid chamber housing 32 is partially facetted to provide inwardly sloping surface(s) adjacent the distal part 304 of the hollow shaft 34, although this is not essential.

The locking collar 50 comprises an annular collar for the neck 45 of the bottle 40, and, when assembled, is configured to provide clamping engagement between the bottle 40 and the pourer 10.

In addition, as described in further detail below, the pourer 10 may include a locking mechanism 60 that is arranged to cooperate with the locking collar 50 to provide secure (e.g., locking) engagement between the bottle 40 and the pourer 10 so as to prevent misuse, such as the unauthorised removal of the pourer 10 from the bottle 40.

The arrangement shown in exploded view in Figure 2 is assembled as shown in Figure 1 by attaching the pourer 10 to the bottle 40 with the surrounding collar 50, with the bottle 40 in a substantially upright position, as follows. First, the pourer 10 is assembled by connecting the measuring sub assembly 30 and the electronics sub assembly 20. In particular, the portion of the distal part 304 of the hollow shaft 34 of the measuring sub assembly 30 that projects from the fluid chamber housing 32 is inserted into elongate spout 24 of the electronics sub assembly 20, such that the opposed leg portions 222, 224 of the housing 22 of the electronics sub assembly 20 extend adjacent, and partially surround, opposite sided of the fluid chamber housing 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the leg portions 222, 224 are accommodated within recessed side portions 326, 328 (see Figure 4A) of the fluid chamber housing 32, so as to extend on opposite sides of the fluid chamber housing 32. Next, the assembled pourer 10 is attached to the bottle 40 by inserting the stopper 38 into the neck of the bottle 40 so as to provide sealing engagement, as described below. Finally, the collar 50 is rotated onto the pourer 10 so that its inner surfaces clamp against the neck 45 of the bottle 40 and engage the outer surface of a part of the housing 22 of the electronics sub assembly 20 that surrounds the measuring sub assembly 30, optionally with locking engagement with an associated locking mechanism 60.

When the arrangement is assembled and the bottle 40 is inverted into a pouring position, liquid flows from the bottle 40 through the hollow stopper 38 into the proximal part 302 of the hollow shaft 34. In a filling stage, the pourer 10 is operated (e.g.) to open a first valve by rotation of hollow shaft 34) to allow the liquid to flow from the proximal part of the hollow shaft 34 into the chamber.

In a dispensing stage, the pourer 10 is operated (e.g., to open a second valve by rotation of hollow shaft) to allow the liquid to flow from the chamber into the distal part of the hollow shaft 34 and out through the elongate spout 24. A more detailed description is provided below with reference to Figures 5A and 5B to Figures 9A and 9B.

Detailed Description of Configuration

Figures 3A and 3B shows schematic longitudinal cross-sectional views through the assembled pourer 10. Figure 3A is a cross section taken along a first plane that passes transversely through the centre of leg portions 224, 226 of the housing 22 of electronic sub assembly 20, and Figure 3B is a cross section taken along a second plane that is orthogonal to the first plane. Figure 4A shows a transverse cross section through the assembled pourer 10 (e.g., taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 3B), and Figure 4B shows a longitudinal cross section through the hollow shaft 34.

In particular, the hollow shaft 34 has a cylindrically shaped sidewall 340 defining a central circular aperture 346 extending longitudinally between first and second open ends 342, 344 of the hollow shaft 34. A transverse dividing wall 348 extends across the central aperture 346 and divides the shaft 34 into a proximal part 302 that receives liquid from the bottle 40 and a distal part 304 that dispenses liquid out of the pourer 10, as described in more detail below. A first slot-shaped opening 3022 is provided at a first position in the sidewall 340 of the hollow shaft 34 adjacent the proximal part 302 to provide fluid communication from the interior of the proximal part 302 of the hollow shaft 34 into one of the chambers 322, 324. In the illustrated arrangement, the transverse dividing wall 348 is sloped towards the first opening 3022 to facilitate fluid flow, although this is not essential. A second slot-shaped opening 3042 is provided at a second position in the sidewall 340 of the hollow shaft 34 adjacent the distal part 304 to provide fluid communication from the interior of one of the chambers 322, 324 to the interior of the distal part 304 of the hollow shaft 34 for dispensing liquid therefrom. The first position of the first opening 3022 is on an (diametrically) opposite side of the sidewall 340 of the shaft 34 from the second position of the second opening 3042, as shown in Figure 4B. Thus, the first opening 3022 in the hollow shaft 34 is opposite and longitudinally spaced from the second opening 3042 in the hollow shaft 34. In the illustrated arrangement, the first opening 3022 is larger (e.g., the slot is longer) than the second opening 3042 so that the flow of liquid through the first opening 3022 is faster than the rate of fluid flow through the second opening 3042. As the skilled person will appreciate, in other embodiments, the first and second openings 3022, 3042 may be located at different circumferential positions in the sidewall of the hollow shaft 34. Thus, first and second openings 3022, 3043 do not need to be diametrically opposite -for example they may be separated by 90° rather than 180°.

The sidewall 340 of hollow shaft 34 is configured with a tapered interior and exterior surface such that the diameter of the central aperture through the hollow shaft 34 varies along its length. In particular, the diameter of the proximal part 302 is larger than the diameter of the distal part 304. In the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved largely by tapering the exterior surface. As the skilled person will appreciate, this creates a seal, that permits fluid to be stored within the chambers 322 and 324 and keeps them separate. The hollow stopper 38 engages the first open end 342 of the hollow shaft 34. Hollow stopper 38 comprises a spring and washer assembly 380 on the inside thereof for engaging the sidewall 340 of shaft 34 and to form a seal therewith (see Figure 14). Other forms of attachment of the stopper 38 to the shaft 34 are contemplated. The hollow stopper 38 further comprises a plurality of radially outwardly extending concentric ridges 384 on the exterior surface thereof. The ridges 384 are resiliently deformable so as to form a seal between the stopper 38 and the interior surface the neck 45 of the bottle 40 to prevent leakage of liquid and to allow the stopper 38 to conform to different internal configurations of the neck of the bottle 38. The central aperture 386 of the stopper 38 may have a funnel shaped profile (not shown) to allow an even flow of liquid from the bottle 40 into the hollow shaft 34.

The hollow shaft 34 extends axially through the fluid chamber housing 32 with first and second measuring chambers 322 and 324 on opposite sides thereof. Each of the first and second chambers 322, 324 is configured to contain (hold) a predefined volume of liquid therein. In the illustrated arrangement, the fluid chamber housing 32 has opposed recessed portions 326, 328. The recessed portions 326, 328 of the fluid chamber housing 32 together with hollow shaft 34 are positioned between, and so function to separate, the first and second chambers 322, 324. In particular the respective wall 3260, 3280 of each of the recessed portions 326, 328 is configured to partially surround respective opposite sides of the hollow shaft 34. Thus, each of the first and second chambers 322, 324 has an (at least partly) open inner side adjacent the hollow shaft 34 between the recessed portions 326, 328. At least one part (e.g., central part) of the outer sidewall of each chamber 322, 324 may be transparent to form a viewing window, as described herein.

Figure 3A further shows the components of the electronic sub assembly 20. In particular, cap portion 222 houses a printed circuit board (PCB) 202 comprising, for example, a controller, an accelerometer, signal and power lines and other electronic components for operating the pourer 10, such as a wireless communications module, according to application requirements. First leg portion 224 houses a drive unit comprising a rotary motor 204 having a drive shaft 2042 and motor gear 2044, which extends through a window in the inner wall of the first leg portion 224 to engage with the shaft gear 36. Second leg portion 226 houses a power source comprising a battery 206. The battery 206 provides power via power signal lines of the PCB 202 to the components of the printed circuit board 202 and the motor 204. As described below, the controller of the PCB 202 provides control signals to drive unit to drive the motor 204 to rotate the drive shaft 2042 and motor gear 2044. The motor gear 2044 is configured to cooperate with the shaft gear 36 to cause rotation of the hollow shaft 34 inside the fluid chamber housing 32 of the measuring sub assembly 30 to operate the pourer 10 as described herein. In the illustrated arrangement, motor gear 2044 and shaft gear 36 are complementary bevel gears and the teeth of motor gear 244 extend through a window in the inner wall of the leg portion 224 of the housing 22 to engage with corresponding teeth of the shaft gear 34.

The illustrated arrangement additionally comprises a locking collar 50 associated with a locking mechanism 60 according to a second aspect of the present disclosure. In particular, locking collar 50 has an internal screw thread that engages with a complementary external screw thread on the outer walls of the leg portions 224, 226 of the housing 22 of the electronics sub assembly 20, as described further below with reference to Figures 11A and 11B. Locking collar 50 is further configured with internal longitudinally extending ribs that cooperate with the locking mechanism 60 in a ratchet arrangement, as described further below.

Operation of the Measuring Sub-Assembly Figures 5A and 5B to Figures 9A and 9B illustrate first to fifth stages of operation of the measuring sub-assembly 20 of the pourer 10 of Figures 1-4. In the illustrated drawings, the bottle 40 (except for neck 45), electronics sub assembly 20 and optional locking collar 50 are omitted for ease of illustration.

Figures SA and SB illustrate a first stage of operation following attachment of the pourer 10 to a bottle (not shown) as described above. Accordingly, in the first stage of operation, the bottle is upright. The hollow shaft 34 is rotationally aligned within the fluid chamber housing 32 in a first position, in which the first and second openings 3022, 3042 are arranged at 90° to the first and second chambers 322, 324. Thus, the open inner sides of the first and second chambers 322, 324 adjacent the hollow shaft 34 are closed off (i.e., sealed closed) by respective adjacent portions of the sidewall 340 of the hollow shaft 34. As the skilled person will appreciate, the first and second openings 3022, 3042 are similarly closed off (i.e., sealed closed) by the walls 3260, 3280 of the recessed portions 326, 328 of the wall of fluid chamber housing 32. Thus, in the first position, the first and second chambers 322, 324 are sealed from the hollow shaft 34 and are empty.

Figures 6A and 6B illustrate a second stage of operation following inversion of the bottle (not shown) into a pouring position. The second stage of operation occurs after the first stage of operation and is used to fill or "prime" one of the first and second chambers 322, 324 with a measured volume of liquid from the bottle prior to a dispensing operation. The second stage of operation may become regarded as a "priming" operation, since it needs to be performed only once each time the pourer is assembled on a new bottle 40. Subsequent stages of operation automatically fill the chambers 322, 324 such that said priming is not required, as described below.

Accordingly, after assembling the pourer 10 onto a bottle (not shown), the server inverts the bottle into a pouring position so that liquid can freely flow from the bottle through the hollow stopper 38 into the proximal part 302 of the hollow shaft 34. Whilst the drawings show the pouring position inverted through 180° relative to the upright position of the first stage of operation, this is not essential. Liquid can generally flow from a bottle that is orientated at an angle of greater than 90° from the vertical in the upright position. Thus, the pouring position referred to in the present disclosure includes angles between 90°and 180° (where 180° corresponds to full inversion vertically).

The (predefined) change in orientation of the bottle from the upright position to the pouring position is detected by the accelerometer and, in response, the controller drives the motor 204 to rotate the motor gear 2044 and shaft gear 36 so that the hollow shaft 34 is rotated about its axis in a first direction through an angle of 90° from the first position to a second position shown in Figures 6A and 6B.

In the second position, the first opening 3022 in the sidewall 340 adjacent the proximal part 302 of the hollow shaft 34 is aligned with the open inner side of the first chamber 322, and liquid from the bottle flows from the proximal part 302 of the hollow shaft 34 into the first chamber 322 (see arrow F) until the first chamber 322 is filled with a measured volume of liquid as shown in Figure 6A. Liquid from the bottle also fills the proximal part 302 of the hollow shaft 34 up to the transverse dividing wall 348 as shown in Figure 6B. The configuration of the first opening 3022, combined with the (e.g., inwardly tapered/funnel) shape of the central aperture in the proximal part 302 of the hollow shaft 34 and/or the slope of the transverse wall 348, may be selected to facilitate the speed and evenness of flow of liquid; for example, to fill the chamber 322 within a predefined time period, such as 3-5 seconds, according to application requirements. In addition, the second opening 3042 in the sidewall 340 of the hollow shaft 34 is aligned with the open inner side of the second chamber 324. However, as shown in the drawings, no liquid is present in the second chamber 324 or the distal part 304 of the hollow shaft 34 during the priming operation.

Figures 7A and 7B illustrate a third stage of operation following the priming operation, in which the bottle is returned to the upright position. The (predefined) change in orientation of the bottle from the pouring position to the upright position is detected by the accelerometer and, in response, the controller drives the motor 204 to rotate the motor gear 2044 and shaft gear 36 so that the hollow shaft 34 is rotated about its axis in the first direction through a further angle of 90° to a third position shown in Figures 7A and 7B.

In the third position, the first and second openings 3022, 3042 are once again arranged at 90° to the first and second chambers 322, 324 as in the first position. Thus, the open inner sides of the first and second chambers 322, 324 are closed off (i.e., sealed closed) by respective adjacent portions of the sidewall 340 of the hollow shaft 34. As the skilled person will appreciate, the first and second openings 3022, 3042 are similarly closed off (i.e., sealed closed) by the walls 3260, 3280 of the recessed portions 326, 328 of the fluid chamber housing 32. Thus, in the third position, the first and second chambers 322, 324 are fully sealed as in the first position, however the third position differs from the first position since the shaft 34 has been rotated through 180° and the first chamber 322 holds a measured volume of liquid from the bottle, ready to be dispensed whilst the second chamber 324 remains empty, as shown in Figure 7A. Since the bottle has been returned to the upright position, the proximal part of the hollow shaft 34 is now empty as shown in Figure 7B. This completes the priming operation so that the pourer 10 is ready to be used to dispense a measured volume of liquid from the bottle.

Figures 8A and 8B illustrate a fourth stage of operation following inversion of the bottle (not shown) into a pouring position. The fourth stage of operation occurs after the first to third stages of operation and repeatedly thereafter until the bottle is empty of liquid. The fourth stage of operation dispenses a measured volume of liquid from one of the first and second chambers 322, 324 whilst simultaneously filling the other of the first and second chambers 322, 324. Thus, the fourth stage of operation may be regarded as a "dispensing and filling" operation, since it automatically fills one of the chambers 322, 324 without priming Accordingly, the server inverts the bottle (not shown) from the upright position into a pouring position to dispense a single, measure volume of liquid. The (predefined) change in orientation of the bottle from the upright position to the pouring position is detected by the accelerometer and, in response, the controller drives the motor 204 to rotate the motor gear 2044 and shaft gear 36 so that the hollow shaft 34 is rotated about its axis in the first direction through an angle of 90° from the third position to a fourth position shown in Figures 8A and 8B.

In the fourth position, the second opening 3042 in the sidewall 340 of the hollow shaft 34 is aligned with the open inner side of the first chamber 322. Thus, the measured volume of liquid held in the first chamber 322 flows through the second opening 3042 into the distal part 304 of the hollow shaft 34 and is dispensed from the second open end 342 thereof through the elongate spout 24 as shown by arrow D. The configuration of the second opening 3022, combined with the (e.g., outwardly tapered) shape of the central aperture in the distal part 304 of the hollow shaft 34, may be selected to facilitate the flow of liquid from the first and second chambers 322, 324 within a predefined time period, such as 3-5 seconds, according to application requirements. In addition, in the fourth position, the first opening 3022 in the sidewall 340 of the hollow shaft 34 is aligned with the open inner wall of the second chamber 324. Thus, liquid from the bottle flows from the proximal part 302 of the hollow shaft 34 into the second chamber 322 as shown by arrow F, until the second chamber 322 is filled with a measured volume of liquid. Once again, the proximal part 302 of the hollow shaft 34 is filled with liquid as shown in Figure 85.

In the illustrated arrangement, the first and second openings 3022, 3042, combined with the (e.g., tapered) shape of the central aperture in the adjacent parts of the hollow shaft 34, are configured so that the rate of flow of liquid though the first opening 3022 is faster than the rate of flow of liquid through the second opening 3042. Thus, the time required to fill one a chamber is less that the time required to empty the other chamber, thereby ensuring that the chamber being filled is always filled at the end of a dispensing operation. As the skilled person will appreciate, the server determines that the dispensing operation is complete when the liquid stops flowing out of the pourer 10. In addition, in some arrangements, at least a part of the outer side of the first and second chambers 322, 324 (e.g., a central side of fluid chamber housing 32) may be transparent so as to provide respective viewing windows 325 for the server to observe when a chamber is empty (see Figure 1). This may be useful not only for coloured liquids but also for observing the flow of more viscous liquids which is typically slower.

Figures 9A and 9B illustrate a fifth stage of operation bottle in which the bottle, once again, is returned to the upright position. The (predefined) change in orientation of the bottle from the pouring position to the upright position is detected by the accelerometer and, in response, the controller drives the motor 204 to rotate the motor gear 2044 and shaft gear 36 so that the hollow shaft 34 is rotated about its axis in the first direction through a further angle of 900 back to the first position shown in Figures 5A and 5B. Thus, the first and second chambers 322, 324 are once again fully sealed and the second chamber 324 now holds a measured volume of liquid from the bottle, ready to be dispensed whilst the first chamber 322 is now empty. This is similar to the third position, except that the shaft 34 has been rotated through 180°. Since the bottle has been returned to the upright position, the proximal part of the hollow shaft 34 is now empty as shown in Figure 9B, In some implementations, a counter (not shown) may be used to count the number of 90° rotations (i.e., steps) of the hollow shaft 34, and thus the number of measured volumes of liquid that have been dispensed. The counter makes it possible to determine the remaining volume of liquid within the bottle, and thus when the bottle is empty. In particular, when the counter reaches a maximum count indicating that the bottle is empty, the operation of the pourer 10 may be automatically disabled to allow removal from the bottle and disassembly. The counter may be implemented as a mechanical counter or electronically by the controller.

Figures 15A and 1SB and Figures 16A and 16B show an optional for detecting full engagement between the electronics sub assembly 20 and the measuring sub assembly 30 of the assembled pourer 10. In the illustrated arrangement, a locking collar SO is used to provide locking engagement as described below. In the illustrated arrangement, switch 80 comprises a generally planar and ring-shaped resiliently deformable spring 880 having a flange 882. Switch 80 is arranged within the cap portion 222 of the housing 22 of electronics sub assembly 20 so that it surrounds the central aperture that receives the hollow shaft 34, so that the flange 882 extends perpendicularly through a ring-shaped aperture 884 in the inner end wall of the cap portion 222. As shown in Figure 15A, prior to locking engagement of the electronics sub assembly 20 on the measuring sub assembly 30 by the locking collar 50, the switch is released. In this position, the biasing force of switch spring 800 maintains the cap portion 222 slightly apart from the measuring sub assembly 30. However, as shown in Figure 15B, as the locking collar 50 is screwed onto the pourer 10, a force is exerted on the cap portion 220 (as shown by arrows) against the biasing force of the spring 880, so that the inner end wall of the cap portion 222 contacts the measuring sub assembly 30 so as to depress the switch 80. Thus, depression of switch 80 may be detected and used to commence operation of the pourer 10, for example by initiating the above described counter (not shown) and engaging the motor 204.

Alternative Arrangements of Pourer In the described embodiment, the fluid chamber housing 32 has an irregular shape in the general form of a facetted globe shape with opposed recessed portions 326, 328 to accommodate the leg portions of the housing 22 of the electronics sub assembly 20 and, at the same time, surround the shaft 34 and to separate the first and second chambers 322, 324. However, any suitable three-dimensional shape for the fluid chamber housing 32, so that each chamber 322, 324 defines (i.e., holds or contains) a space corresponding to a desired measured volume of the liquid, is possible and contemplated. Furthermore, each of the first and second chambers 322, 324 may have an inner wall on the inner side thereof that fully surrounds the shaft but instead includes openings to align with the slot-shaped openings in the sidewall of the hollow shaft in the second and fourth positions to allow the flow of liquid.

In the described embodiment, the fluid chamber housing 32 of measuring sub-assembly 30 has two chambers for measuring the liquid from the bottle 40. As the skilled person will appreciate, alternative embodiments may comprise just one measuring chamber or a plurality comprising three or more measuring chambers, according to application requirements. The number and arrangement of first and second slot-shaped openings in the sidewall 340 of the hollow shaft 34, the number and arrangement of openings in the inner side of the chamber(s) and the rotational separation between such openings (defining the required angular rotation to open and close the valves), may be modified accordingly.

As the skilled person will appreciate, the components of the pourer may be injection moulded, blow moulded or 3D printed of a lightweight plastics material. Certain components, such as the hollow shaft 34 and fluid chamber housing 32, may be formed as separate components and assembled together using any appropriate joining technique. Alternatively, some components, such as the cam member (described below) and shaft gear 36, may be integrally formed in one piece.

LOCKING COLLAR AND LOCKING MECHANISM

As described above, the pourer 10 may be securely attached to a bottle 40 using a locking collar 50 in conjunction with a locking mechanism 60 associated with the pourer 10 in order to prevent misuse and/or removal.

Figure 10 shows a locking collar 50 in accordance with an embodiment. The locking collar 50 has a height h and a generally annular cross section with an inner surface 58 defining a generally cylindrical opening 52. The cylindrical opening 52 of the locking collar 50 has a first end 54 and a second end 56. A first part 582 of the inner surface 58 adjacent the first end 54 is configured to engage the neck of a bottle (not shown), and a second part 584 of the inner surface 58 adjacent to the second end 56 is configured to engage the assembled pourer 10 (not shown) as described below.

In particular, the first part 582 comprises a deformable split internal ring 5820 extending radially inwardly to define a reduced diameter opening 52 (see Figure 11A). In the illustrated arrangement, the split ring 5820 is split into four arc sections 5820a-d, with adjacent arc sections divided by a respective gap 5824 extending longitudinally from adjacent the first end 54 of the collar 50. As the skilled person will appreciate, in other arrangements, the internal ring 5820 may be split into two, three or even five or more sections, according to application requirements. The second part 584 is configured with a plurality of evenly spaced longitudinally extending inner ribs 5840 (also referred to herein as "longitudinal threads"). Each rib 5940 is configured to provide ratchet engagement with the locking mechanism 60 of the pourer 10 as described below. In addition, the second part 584 includes an internal screw thread 5842. In the illustrated arrangement, the internal screw thread 5842 is located in the same area as the longitudinal ribs 5840, but in other arrangements may be spatially separated therefrom. Thus, as shown in Figure 10, the internal screw thread 5842 overlaps at least a portion of the longitudinal ribs 5840 in the second part 584 on the inner surface 58 adjacent the second end 56 of the collar 50. Alternatively, the internal screw thread 5842 may be defined in one area adjacent the second end 56 and the longitudinal ribs 5840 may be in another area spaced inwardly therefrom. The internal screw thread 5842 of the collar 50 is configured to engage with a complementary external screw thread 2242, 2246 on an outer surface of the assembled pourer 10, as shown in Figure 11A described below. In the illustrated arrangement, the complementary external screw thread 2242, 2246 is arranged on the external surfaces of the outer sidewalls of the first and second leg portions 224, 226 of the housing 22 of the electronics sub assembly 20.

As shown in Figure 2, prior to assembly of the pourer 10 on the bottle 40, the locking collar 50 is loosely positioned over the neck 45 of the bottle 40, without engagement therewith. The first end 54 is arranged innermost (i.e., closest to the shoulder of the bottle 40) and the second end 56 is arranged outermost (i.e., closest to the mouth of the bottle 40).

Engagement of the Locking Collar and the Pourer The locking collar 50 is engaged to the pourer 10 following assembly of the pourer 10 on a bottle 40 as described above. In particular, electronics sub assembly 20 is assembled together with the measuring sub assembly 30 and the stopper 38 is inserted into the neck of a bottle 40 on which the collar 50 is loosely positioned.

The locking collar 50 is moved along the neck 45 from adjacent the shoulder of the bottle 40 towards the pourer 10 until the internal screw thread 5842 of the collar 50 engages the external screw thread 2242, 2246 on the outside of the leg portions 224, 226 of the housing 22 of the electronics sub assembly 20. The collar 50 is then rotated to advance the first end 56 further over the pourer 10.

Figure 11A shows the engagement of the pourer 10 and the bottle 40 by the locking collar 50 in a first stage of rotation of the collar 50 to an intermediate locking position and Figure 11B shows the engagement of the pourer 10 and the bottle 40 by the locking collar 50 in a second stage of rotation of the collar 50 to an advanced locking position. A final stage of rotation of the collar 50 moves the collar 50 to the final locking position shown in Figures 3A and 3B. For ease of illustration, the stopper 38 and measuring sub assembly 30 are not shown in Figures 11A and 11B.

At the first stage, the neck 45 of the bottle 40 is positioned within the reduced diameter opening 52' defined by the split ring 5820. In particular, as the collar 50 is screwed onto the pourer, the neck of the bottle 40 is guided between the deformable split ring 5820. In the illustrated position, the collar 50 surrounds a length L1 of the distal ends of the leg portions 224, 226. As the skilled person will appreciate, the lateral (radial) separation between the outer side of the neck 45 of the bottle 40 and the split ring 5820 is variable according to the neck configuration of the bottle.

At the second stage, the collar 50 is screwed further onto the pourer 10 until it is almost tight (i.e., almost fully screwed onto or engaged), so that the collar 50 surrounds a length L2 of the distal ends of the leg portions 224, 226, where L2 is greater than Ll. In consequence, the distal ends of the leg portions 224, 226 have angled inner walls 2245, 2265 that exert a radially inward force on the adjacent sides of the internal split ring 5820, which deforms to reduce the diameter aperture 52' to 52" in order to clamp against the neck 45 of the bottle 40. In this way, the neck of the bottle 40 is clamped inside the locking collar 50, which, in turn, is engaged by screw threaded engagement to the pourer 10.

At the final stage, the collar 50 is fully screwed onto the pourer 10 until it is tight (i.e., fully screwed onto or engaged). For the smallest possible bottle neck diameter, the collar 50 surrounds a length h of the distal ends of the leg portions 224, 226, where h is the longitudinal height of the collar 50 as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, as described above. For other bottle neck diameters, the final locking position may surround another length L1 of the distal ends of the leg portions 224, 226 as shown in Figure 11B.

As the skilled person will appreciate, rather the split ring 5820 could be formed as a separate part from the threaded collar 50 rather than being integrated as one piece. In this case, the first end of the split ring part 5820 would be acted on by the first end 54 of the threaded collar, such that vertical movement of the threaded collar would translate the split ring part 2820 and thus cause the internal diameter 52 to be compressed.

Locking Mechanism In addition to the clamping engagement of the bottle 50 and the pourer 10 provided by the locking collar 50, the pourer 10 further includes a locking mechanism 60 that is arranged to cooperate with the locking collar 50. This cooperation locks the locking collar's clamp and screw-threaded engagement between the bottle 40 and the pourer 10 so as to prevent misuse, such as the unauthorised removal of the pourer 10 from the bottle 40.

Returning to Figures 3A and 3B, pourer 10 comprises a locking mechanism 60, which cooperates with the locking collar 50 when the locking collar SO is screwed onto the pourer 10 to the final position. In particular, locking mechanism 60 comprises a lock sub assembly 62 and a complementary cam member 64 surrounding the hollow shaft 34. The cam member 64 is configured to rotate with shaft gear 36 (or other transmission member) and, thus, hollow shaft 34 during operation of the pourer 10. In the illustrated embodiment, cam member 64 is joined to, and longitudinally spaced from, the shaft gear 36.

Lock sub assembly 62 is arranged within second leg portion 226 of the housing 22 of the electronics sub assembly 20. Generally, lock sub assembly 62 comprises a two-part reciprocating bar 620 that extends radially between inner and outer sidewalls 2262, 2266 of the second leg portion 226. Lock sub-assembly 62 is positioned along the length of the second leg portion 226 to be adjacent to the second part 584 of the locking collar 50 in the final locking position.

As shown in Figure 12A, lock sub assembly 62 comprises a piston 622 having a circular piston head 6222 and a piston rod 6224 extending radially outward from the centre of the piston head 6222.

The piston rod 6224 forms a first part of the two-part reciprocating bar 620. The lock sub assembly 62 further comprises a cylindrical housing 624 having a complementary circular cross-section to the piston head 6222. The cylindrical housing 624 comprises an inner end wall 6242 and an outer end wall 6244 having a central opening 6246. The piston rod 6224 radially outward through the opening 6246. The distal end of the piston rod 6224 forms an outer latching member 6220, which is configured to cooperate with the inner longitudinal ribs 5840 of the locking collar SO, as described further below. In addition, a peg 646 extends radially inward from the centre of the inner end wall 6242 of the cylindrical housing 624. The peg 646 forms a second part of the two-part reciprocating bar 620. The distal end of the peg 646 forms an inner latching member 6460, which is configured to cooperate with the cam member 64, as described further below.

Lock sub assembly 62 further comprises a first biasing spring 626 and a second biasing spring 628. First and second biasing springs 626, 628 are compressed and decompressed by the reciprocating action of the two-part reciprocating bar 620. First biasing spring 626 is positioned inside the cylindrical housing 624 between inner end wall 6242 and piston head 6222. First biasing spring 626 is configured to bias the piston 62 radially outwardly (i.e., towards outer sidewall 2266 of second leg portion 226). Second biasing spring 628 is positioned outside the cylindrical housing 624 between the outer end wall 6244 and the outer sidewall 2266 of the second leg portion 226 of the housing 22 of the electronics sub assembly 20. Second biasing spring 628 is configured to bias the cylindrical housing 624 radially inwardly (i.e., towards inner sidewall 2262 of second leg portion 226).

The inner latching member 6460 of the lock sub assembly 62 extends through a complementary opening 2264 in the inner sidewall 2262 of the second leg portion 626 of the housing 22 of the electronic sub assembly 20 towards the hollow shaft 34. The outer latching member 6220 of the lock sub assembly 62 extends through a complementary opening 2268 in the outer sidewall 2266 of the second leg portion 626 of the housing 22 of the electronic sub assembly 20 towards the locking collar SO.

As shown in Figure 12B, the cam member 64 has an inner side surface 642 and an outer side surface 644. The inner side surface 642 is configured to surround the hollow shaft 34 and the outer side surface 644 is configured to be received between the inner sidewalls 2242, 2262 of the first and second leg portions 224, 226 of the housing 22 of the electronics sub assembly 20. The outer side surface 644 comprises first and second notches 6442, 6444 extending radially inwardly towards the shaft 34 and a first and second cam surfaces 6446, 6448 between the first and second notches 6442, 6444. In the illustrated arrangement, each of the notches 6442, 6444 forms a channel extending between the inner side surface 642 and the outer side surface 644, but this is not essential. The outer side surface 644 is configured to cooperate with the lock sub assembly 62. In particular, during rotation of the hollow shaft 34, the outer side surface 644 contacts the inner latching member 6460 to selectively latch/engage the inner latching member 6460 inside one of the first and second notches 6442, 6444 as described below. The first and second notches 6242, 6444 have gently sloped or angled sides adjacent the cam surfaces 6446, 6448 to facilitate latching and unlatching engagement of the inner latching member 6460, whilst permitting the cam member 46 to freely rotate, as described below. The first and second cam surfaces 6442, 6444 have a cam profile for guiding the inner latching member 6460 in a generally asymmetric path around the outer side surface 644 during rotation of the cam member 64. Cam member 64 also comprises an optional annular base 646 having a circular configuration. Base 646 is configured to be joined with, or may be integrally formed as, a corresponding annular top (or bottom) surface of the shaft gear 26 for rotation therewith. The detailed operation of the lock sub assembly 62 is described below with reference to Figures 13A-C.

Locking Engagement and Release of the Locking Mechanism Figures 13A-13C show the cooperation between the locking collar 50 and the locking mechanism 60 associated with the pourer 10 at different stages of use.

Figures 13A and 13B shows the cooperation between the locking mechanism 60 and the locking collar 50 at two alternate positions as the locking collar 50 is screwed onto the pourer 10, as described above with reference to Figures 11A and 11B. In particular, the locking collar 50 is rotated in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) around the leg portions 224, 226 of the housing 22 of the electronics sub assembly 20 to tighten the inner screw thread 5842 of the collar 50 on the complementary screw thread 2242 of the leg portions 224, 226. As the collar 50 is rotated in the first direction past each of the inner longitudinal ribs 5840 of the locking collar 50 the outer latching member 6220 is displaced radially inwardly so that the piston head 6222 slides inside the cylindrical housing 624 towards the inner end wall 6242 against the force of first biasing spring 626 (i.e., compressing the spring), as shown in Figure 13A. After rotating passing each longitudinal rib 5840 on the inner surface of the locking collar SO, the biasing force of the first biasing spring 626 slides the piston head 6222 inside the cylindrical housing 624 towards the outer end wall 6244 so as to displace the outer latching member 6220 radially outwardly between an adjacent pair of longitudinal ribs 5840 of the locking collar 50, as shown in Figure 13B. Thus, the piston 622 reciprocates radially inwardly and outwardly in order that the longitudinal ribs 5840 of the locking collar 50 can freely rotate in the first direction (e.g., clockwise) past the outer latching member 6220 of lock sub assembly 62 as the collar 50 is screwed onto the pourer 10.

The cross section of the longitudinal ribs 5840 has an asymmetric configuration (e.g., sawtooth cross section) so as to prevent rotation in the second direction, opposite to the first direction (e.g., anticlockwise). As the skilled person will appreciate, the inner longitudinal ribs 5840 of the locking collar 50 may be considered as a ratchet gear and the outer latching member 6220 may be considered as a ratchet pawl. The rachet gear and pawl together form a ratchet arrangement to allow the locking collar 50 to freely rotate in the first direction as it is screwed onto the pourer 10.

This prevents unauthorised removal of the pourer 10 from the bottle 40 by unscrewing the collar 50.

In consequence, the locking collar 50 cannot be unscrewed from the pourer 10 without damage, and so any attempt at unauthorised removal is tamper evident.

As the skilled person will appreciate, during engagement of the locking collar 50 on the pourer 10 as shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the cam member 64 is static with respect to the lock sub assembly 62 and the inner latching member 6460 is displaced radially outwardly by the adjacent cam surface of the cam member 64 against the force of the second biasing spring 628.

Figure 13C shows the cooperation between the locking mechanism 60 and the locking collar 50 during a dispensing operation of the pourer 10. As described above, during a dispensing operation, the bottle 40 is inverted to a pouring position as shown in Figures 8A and 8B, and, upon detection of this (predetermined) change in orientation of the bottle by the accelerometer, the shaft gear 36 is driven by the motor 204 so as to rotate the hollow shaft 34 through 90° in the first direction (e.g., clockwise). Since the cam member 64 is adjoined to the shaft gear 36, the cam member 64 is also rotated through 90° from the position shown in Figures 13A and 13B. In the meantime, the ratchet arrangement of the locking collar 50 with the lock sub assembly 62 remains static, with the outer latching member 6220 engaged between a pair of inner longitudinal ribs 5840 of the locking collar 50 as shown in Figure 13B.

As described above, as the cam member 64 rotates, the outer side surface 6446 of the cam member 64 contacts the inner latching member 6460 so as to guide it in and out of latching engagement with opposed notches 6442, 6444, so that the reciprocating bar 620 reciprocates radially inwardly and outwardly. In particular, during rotation of the cam member 64, the inner latching member 6460 moves from a position substantially at a midpoint between the first and second notches 6442, 6444 along a path corresponding to the cam profile of the adjacent one of the first and second cam surfaces 6446, 6448. Thus, the radially outward force on peg 646 varies with the cam profile, and a variable force is exerted on the cylindrical housing 624 radially outwardly against the bias of the second biasing spring 628. At the same time, the inner end wall 6242 of the cylindrical housing 624 exerts a variable radially outward force on the first biasing spring 626 (i.e., compresses the spring) and the piston 626, thereby maintaining engagement of the outer latching member 6220 between the pair of longitudinal ribs 5840 of the locking collar 50. Upon completion of the rotation through 90°, one of the first and second notches 6442, 6444 becomes aligned with the inner latching member 6460 and the biasing force of cam member 64 against the second biasing spring 628 is removed (i.e., spring 628 is released/decompressed). In consequence, the second biasing spring 628 acts to bias the inner latching member 6460 radially inwardly into latching engagement within the corresponding notch 6442 of the cam member 64, as shown in Figure 13C.

As described above, after a dispensing operation, the bottle 40 is returned to an upright position as shown in Figures 9A and 9B, and, upon detection of this (predetermined) change in orientation of the bottle 40 by the accelerometer, the shaft gear 36 is driven by the motor 204 so as to rotate the hollow shaft 34 through a further 900 in the first direction. This rotation disengages the inner latching member 6460 from the locked position within the notch 6442. In particular, the angled sides of the notches 6442, 6444 that lead to and from the cam surfaces 6446, 6448 allow the cam member 64 to rotate freely so that the latching member 6460 reciprocates radially inwards and outwards. Thus, once again, the disengaged latching member 6460 moves along a path corresponding to the cam profile of the adjacent other one of the first and second cam surfaces 6446, 6448, until it reaches a midpoint between the first and second notches 6442, 6444. This is similar to the position shown in Figure 13B, but with the cam member 64 rotated by 180°.

Accordingly, the above process is repeated for each dispensing operation of the pourer 10 until the bottle is empty. In an embodiment, a counter is used to count the number of 90 rotations (steps) of the hollow shaft 34, and thus the number of dispensing operations of the measured volume of liquid. When the counter reaches a maximum count, corresponding to the final dispensing operation, the operation of the pourer 10 is automatically disabled. For example, operation of the pourer 10 may be disabled so that the hollow shaft 34 is no longer rotated in response to detection of a change in orientation of the bottle by the accelerometer or the accelerometer may be disabled. The pourer 10 is typically disabled with the locking mechanism 60 in the position shown in Figure 13C, which facilitates disassembly of the pourer 10 from the bottle as described below. In particular, after the final dispensing operation, the bottle 40 is returned to its upright position without further rotation of the hollow shaft 34. The locking collar 50 may be removed, to enable disassembly of the pourer 10 from the bottle 40, as follows.

Referring again to Figure 13C, since the inner latching member 6460 at the distal end of peg 646 is displaced radially inwardly into latching engagement within notch 6442 in cam member 64, the cylinder housing 624, which is adjoined to peg 646, is also displaced radially inwardly. Since the piston head 6220 remains biased by first biasing spring 626 against the outer end wall 6244 on the piston head 6220 (as in Figure 13B) the displacement of the cylinder housing 624 substantially disengages the outer latching member 6220 from between the pair of longitudinal ribs 5840 of the locking collar 50, as shown in Figure 13C. Accordingly, outer latching member 6220 is displaced radially inwardly to be is substantially clear of the inner longitudinal ribs 5840 of the locking collar 50 (i.e., there is a gap in the radial direction between the outer latching member 6220 and the ribs 5840 of the collar 50). Thus, the ratchet mechanism is released, and the locking collar 50 can be freely rotated in the second direction (e.g., anticlockwise). This rotation disengages the screw threaded engagement between the internal screw thread 5842 of the locking collar 50 and the complementary external screw thread 2242 of the pourer 10. Thus, the locking collar 50 can be unscrewed from the pourer 10 and returned to a position loosely surrounding the neck 45 of the bottle 40, the stopper 38 can then be removed from the bottle 40 and the electronics sub assembly and measuring sub assembly 30 can be disassembled, as shown in Figure 2.

As the skilled person will appreciate, other variations of the locking mechanism 60 comprising the lock sub assembly 62 and cam member 64 are possible for cooperation with the locking collar 50. For example, the cam member 64 may be provided with notches separated at a 45-degree angle, so the lock sub assembly is never unlocked during the cam feature's normal positions of use (i.e., sealed or dispensing/filling). It would only be unlocked for the briefest of moments, as the cam member rotates between 0-dgrees, 90-degrees, 180-degrees, etc. Once it is determined that the bottle is empty, the motor could be operated to rotate the required 45-degrees to unlock the collar SO.

Figure 14 shows an example of an optional release mechanism 3480, which enables the locking collar 50 to be mechanically released from the pourer 10. The release mechanism 3480 may be used in addition to the above-described technique for disabling the operation of the pourer 10, or as an alternative thereto. For example, a mechanical release mechanism may be useful in certain scenarios, such as in the event of malfunction of mechanical or electronic components of the pourer 10, loss of power from the battery and so on. The release mechanism 3480 is configured to allow a user to manually rotate the shaft 34 so that the inner latching member 6460 is received within a notch of the cam member 64, in the position shown in Figure 13C, thereby allowing the locking collar 50 to be unscrewed from the pourer 10. In the illustrated example, release mechanism 3480 comprises a polygonal or screw head shaped recess 3482 in the surface of the transverse dividing wall 348 adjacent the distal part 304 of the hollow shaft 34. Accordingly, a corresponding tool such a polygonal shaped key (e.g., Allen key) or screwdriver, may be inserted through the elongate spout 24 of the pourer 10 into the distal part 304 of the hollow shaft 34 and engaged with the recess 3482. Thus, the key or screwdriver may be turned so as to manually rotate the hollow shaft 34 within the pourer 10 so that the cam member 64 is positioned as shown in Figure 13C, thereby allowing release of the locking collar 50 from the pourer 10. As the skilled person will appreciate, many other configurations of a mechanical release mechanism 3480 are possible and contemplated.

As the skilled person will appreciate, many variations and modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It is intended to include all such variations, modifications and equivalents that fall within the scope of the aspects of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Apparatus for dispensing liquid from a bottle, comprising: a measuring sub assembly comprising a hollow shaft and a housing configured to receive the shaft, wherein the hollow shaft comprises: a first end configured to receive liquid from the bottle and a second end configured to dispense liquid; a sidewall defining a longitudinally extending central aperture; first and second openings disposed in the sidewall on respective sides of the central aperture; a transverse dividing wall extending across the central aperture such that the first opening extends on a first side of the dividing wall and the second opening extends on a second, opposite side of the dividing wall; wherein the housing defines a chamber that is configured to hold a measured volume of liquid, the chamber comprising an inner wall configured to partially surround the shaft such that an inner side of the chamber is at least partly open to one side adjacent the hollow shaft; an electronics sub assembly comprising: a detector for detecting a change in the orientation of the bottle, and a drive unit configured to rotate the hollow shaft within the housing; wherein, in response to the detector detecting a predefined change in the orientation of the bottle, the drive unit is configured to rotate the hollow shaft to one of a plurality of rotational positions so as to provide selective communication of liquid between the hollow shaft and the chamber through one of the first and second openings.
2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transverse dividing wall defines a proximal part of the hollow shaft adjacent the first end thereof and a distal part of the hollow shaft distal adjacent the second end thereof, wherein the first opening extends adjacent the proximal part of the hollow shaft and the second opening extends adjacent the distal part of the hollow shaft.
3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the drive unit is configured to rotate the hollow shaft to a first rotational position in which the first opening is adjacent the open inner side of the chamber such that liquid flows from proximal part of the hollow shaft to fill the chamber.
4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the drive unit is configured to rotate the hollow shaft to a second rotational position in which the second opening is adjacent the open side of the inner wall of the chamber such that liquid flows from the chamber into the distal part of the hollow shaft so as to dispense the measured volume of liquid.
5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the drive unit is configured to rotate the hollow shaft to a third rotational position in which the first and second openings are both adjacent the inner wall of the chamber so as to prevent flow of liquid between the central aperture of the hollow shaft and the chamber.
6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the drive unit is configured to rotate the hollow shaft so that the rotational positions are separated by 90°.
7. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein the first end of the hollow shaft comprises an attachment, such as a hollow stopper, configured to provide sealing engagement for liquid to flow between the bottle and the hollow shaft
8. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the chamber is configured to facilitate the outward flow of liquid from the chamber into the hollow shaft, optionally by an outer wall that slopes inwardly towards the second end of the hollow shaft.
9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sidewall of at least part of the hollow shaft is configured so that the central aperture is tapered inwardly to reduce the diameter thereof in the longitudinal direction extending from the first end to the second end, optionally wherein the tapered part is adjacent the first end of the hollow shaft.
10. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sidewall of at least part of the hollow shaft is configured so that the central aperture is tapered inwardly to reduce the diameter thereof in the longitudinal direction from the second end to the first end, optionally wherein the tapered part is adjacent the second end of the hollow shaft.
11. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing defines first and second chambers, each configured to hold the measured volume of liquid.
12. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of: the first and second openings are slot-shaped; the first opening is larger than the second opening; the first opening is longer than the second opening.
13. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electronics sub assembly comprises a housing having a cap portion and at least one leg portion extending from the cap portion, wherein the cap portion and the at least one leg portion are configured to partially surround the measuring sub assembly.
14. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electronics sub assembly is configured to engage and/or disengage operation of the drive unit, optionally in response a wireless communications signals that authorise dispensing of liquid rom at least one chamber.
15. A collar for providing engagement between an apparatus and a bottle, wherein the apparatus is configured to be connected to the neck of the bottle, the collar comprising: an inner surface including a first part having an internal split ring defining a first central opening configured to surround the neck of the bottle and a second part defining a second central opening, which is larger than the first central opening, configured to surround a first end of the apparatus; wherein the second part has an inner screw thread configured to engage a complementary outer screw thread on an outer surface at the first end of apparatus, and wherein the internal split ring is resiliently deformable such that, when the inner screw thread is tightened on the outer screw thread, an inner surface of the apparatus deforms the internal split ring so that the internal split ring clamps against the neck of the bottle.
16. A collar as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second part further comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs, each rib having an asymmetric profile, wherein the longitudinally extending ribs are configured to cooperate with a latching member of a locking mechanism of the apparatus in a ratchet arrangement.
17. A locking assembly for providing locking engagement between an apparatus and a bottle, the assembly comprising: a collar as claimed in claim 16, and a lock sub assembly comprising a reciprocating bar configured to reciprocate along its length, and a biasing member configured to bias the reciprocating bar in a first direction; wherein the lock sub assembly is arranged to be mounted within the first end of the apparatus so that the reciprocating bar extends radially between and inner end and an outer end, wherein the biasing member is arranged to bias the outer end of the reciprocating bar radially outwardly against the inner surface of the locking collar, and wherein the outer end of the reciprocating bar forms an outer latching member for ratchet engagement with the longitudinally extending ribs on second part of the inner surface of the collar.
18. A locking assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the inner end of the reciprocating bar is configured to cooperate with an outer surface of a cam member arranged around an axis thereof, wherein optionally the axis of the cam member corresponds to an axis of the bottle and/or apparatus.
19. A locking assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the lock sub assembly further comprises a second biasing member configured to bias the reciprocating bar in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, wherein the second biasing member is arranged to bias the inner end of reciprocating bar radially inwardly against the outer surface of the cam member.
20. An apparatus for engaging to a bottle, the apparatus comprising a locking assembly as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the apparatus has a shaft extending longitudinally therethrough and configured for rotation about an axis thereof, wherein the cam member is joined to the inner shaft for rotation therewith.
21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, 19 or 20, wherein the outer surface of the cam member further comprises an inwardly extending notch configured to engage an inner latching member at the inner end of the reciprocating bar.
22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein the apparatus further comprises the features of the apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 13, optionally wherein the first end of the apparatus is adjacent the first end of the hollow shaft.
23. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 assembled in combination with one or more of: a collar as claimed in claim 15 or 16, and a locking assembly as claimed in claim 17, 18 or 19.
24. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 assembled in combination with one or more of: a collar as claimed in claim 15 or 16, and a locking assembly as claimed in claim 17, 18 or 19; wherein the outer screw thread on the outer surface at the first end of the apparatus is provided on the outer surface of the at least one leg portion of the housing of the electronics sub 20 assembly.
25. An electronically operated pourer for dispensing a measured volume of liquid from a bottle, the pourer comprising an apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24.