Device and method for measuring a variation in volume of liquid product in a container

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for measuring a variation in volume of liquid product in a container (14). This measurement device (10) comprises at least one duct (17) arranged to enable the flow of the liquid product away from the container, and a vent (18) which is separate from the duct (17) and is arranged to enable air to enter the container as a replacement for the liquid product leaving this container (14). The air passes solely through the vent (18), while the liquid product passes solely through the duct (17). The measurement device comprises a measurement assembly (19) arranged to measure a value of a characteristic which is representative of the volume of air passing through the vent (18), this measurement assembly (19) not being in contact with the liquid product. The measurement device (10) further comprises a closure device (24) arranged to close or open the vent (18) and to prevent or permit the passage of air into this vent. Closing the vent (18) prevents air from entering the container (14) and the liquid product from leaving the container (14). The invention further relates to a method for measuring a variation in volume of liquid product contained in a container, this method comprising steps consisting in: - decanting liquid product via a duct (17) of the container (14), the liquid product that leaves the container (14) being replaced by air entering the container (14) exclusively via a vent (18); - measuring a value of a characteristic which is representative of the volume of air passing through the vent (18) as the liquid product is decanted; - converting the measured value of the characteristic which is representative of the volume of air passing through the vent (18) into a value of a variation in volume of liquid product in the container (14); and - closing the vent (18) when the measured value has reached a predefined value.

Description

[0001] DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING A VARIATION IN THE VOLUME OF A LIQUID PRODUCT IN A CONTAINER

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of measuring instruments and more specifically to that of measuring volumes of liquid products. In more detail, the invention relates to a device for measuring a variation in the volume of liquid product in a container, this measuring device comprising at least one conduit arranged to allow the flow of the liquid product out of the container, and a vent separate from said conduit and arranged to allow the entry of air into said container to replace the liquid product leaving this container, the air passing exclusively through said vent and the liquid product passing exclusively through said at least one conduit, the measuring device further comprising a measuring assembly arranged to measure a value of a characteristic representative of the volume of air passing through said vent.

[0004] The present invention also relates to a method for measuring a variation in the volume of liquid product contained in a container.

[0005] PRIOR ART

[0006] There are many applications in which it is necessary or desirable to measure a volume of product, particularly a liquid product. Examples include measuring a quantity of alcohol poured from a bottle or measuring paints and / or solvents in a mixture.

[0007] Currently, when measuring the volume of a product extracted from a container, different solutions are used depending on the product concerned and the specific application. Some known systems measure the mass of the container before and after transferring the product. The difference in mass combined with the density of the product makes it possible to determine the transferred volume. In practice, it can be difficult or even impossible to measure the difference in mass. Even when possible, it can be impractical. For example, in the case of a measuring cap, it is possible to measure the difference in mass before and after pouring the contents, but it is not possible to stop pouring after a predefined quantity, for example 1 dl.

[0008] US Patent 7,900,799 describes a system for measuring the amount of liquid poured from a bottle of alcohol. This patent describes a measuring cap having a channel in which there is a propeller rotated by the passage of liquid. The rotation of the propeller is measured and converted into a volume of liquid passing through the channel.

[0009] This system has several drawbacks. The product to be transferred is in contact with the measuring assembly, and more specifically with the measuring assembly's propeller. This means that the propeller can become blocked or slowed down, for example, if sugar alcohol dries on the shaft and prevents it from rotating or slows it down in an unreproducible manner. This would result in inaccurate measurements, or even make it impossible to use the measuring device.

[0010] Additionally, the assembly can be difficult to clean if the propeller is to be placed on another container. The propeller may require the use of lubricant for its proper functioning. In this case, the product to be poured is in contact with the lubricant, which is not acceptable in practice, especially for food products. A propeller can only be used with a relatively fluid liquid. Indeed, a viscous liquid could block the propeller and prevent it from rotating. Such a propeller could also not be used with a corrosive fluid, for example, or with a liquid that must remain sterile.

[0011] Furthermore, even if the measurement is carried out correctly, it is not possible to automatically stop the pouring of the liquid when a predefined quantity of liquid has been poured from the bottle.

[0012] French patent FR2428827 describes a device for dosing liquid, more specifically water in a coffee dispenser. This device also includes a propeller that is rotated by the passage of water. The propeller includes two magnets whose movement is detected. The rotation of the propeller corresponds to the quantity of water circulating opposite the propeller. When the predefined quantity of water has been reached, that is to say when the propeller has completed a predefined number of revolutions, a water circulation pump is stopped, so as to stop the circulation of water in the circuit.

[0013] In this invention, the propeller is in contact with the liquid, the quantity of which it must measure. As mentioned above, this can pose problems of hygiene, cleaning, corrosion or blockage of the propeller in particular. Furthermore, stopping the distribution of liquid when a predefined number of propeller turns has been reached can only be done because the liquid is put into circulation by means of a pump. This system is therefore not compatible with a bottle from which liquid such as alcohol is poured without a pump, by means of gravity alone.

[0014] Other documents describe measuring caps, i.e. devices placed on bottles, replacing their usual cap, and making it possible to measure the quantity of liquid leaving these bottles. One of these measuring caps is described in European patent application EP2091858. This document describes a pouring spout comprising a passage for the circulation of the liquid through which the liquid can escape from the bottle and an air passage allowing air to enter the bottle. The air passage comprises a device for measuring the air flow passing through the passage. The air flow is converted into a value representative of the volume of liquid leaving the bottle.

[0015] The airflow measuring device comprises two temperature probes arranged along the air passage, the temperature difference between the two probes being used to deduce the quantity of air having passed through this passage. In the invention described in this document, the measurement of the quantity of air depends on parameters such as the external temperature in particular and is therefore not reliable and accurate. By using this solution, it is nevertheless possible to measure a quantity of liquid leaving the bottle. However, it is not possible to automatically stop the flow of liquid when a predefined quantity has been reached.

[0016] Other devices allow the flow of liquid to be stopped when a certain amount has been poured. One such device is described in US patent application US20170144877. This device has one or two needles, each with a channel. The needles are inserted through the bottle cap. A compressed gas cylinder is attached to the bottle and connected to one of the needles.

[0017] When a certain amount of liquid is to be extracted from the cylinder, a corresponding amount of pressurized gas is introduced into the cylinder from the gas cylinder. The liquid is forced out of the cylinder by the introduction of the pressurized gas.

[0018] In this invention, it is necessary to have a pressurized gas cylinder for each bottle for which the measuring cap is to be used. Furthermore, it is necessary to manage the gas pressure in the bottle, so that the quantity of gas and the pressure correspond to a predefined quantity of liquid. This involves a significant cost and increases the complexity of using the device.

[0019] It might be interesting to find a solution to measure the volume of liquid flowing from a container, having the following characteristics:

[0020] • the measurement must be precise, simple to implement, low energy consumption and reliable;

[0021] • the liquid must not come into contact with the measuring assembly or other components which could pollute this liquid;

[0022] • the liquid must be discharged by gravity, without a pump, in a simple manner, without complex or inconvenient handling for the user;

[0023] • the flow of liquid must be stopped automatically when a predefined quantity of liquid has been poured;

[0024] • the device should be easily moved from one container to another, without having to undergo complex and costly cleaning or sterilization steps.

[0025] The device should be suitable for use with a variety of products, including liquids with a wide viscosity range and corrosive liquids. The product being transferred should not be affected by the passage through the measuring device, and the measuring device should not be affected by the passage of the product. The flow of liquid should be able to be stopped automatically when a predefined quantity of liquid has been dispensed. Handling with a measuring cap should be identical to handling a bottle without a measuring cap.

[0026] None of the existing systems meet these needs.

[0027] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems of the measuring devices of the prior art and to propose a device having the characteristics mentioned above.

[0029] These objectives are achieved by a device as defined in the preamble and characterized in that the measuring assembly is not in contact with the liquid product, and in that the measuring device further comprises a closing device arranged to close or open said vent and prevent or allow the passage of air into this vent, the closing of the vent preventing air from entering the container and preventing the liquid product from flowing out of said container.

[0030] These objectives are also achieved by a process as defined in the preamble and characterized in that it includes the steps consisting of:

[0031] • transfer liquid product through a conduit in the container, the liquid product leaving the container being replaced by air entering said container exclusively through a vent;

[0032] • measure a value of a characteristic representative of the volume of air passing through said vent during the transfer of the liquid product;

[0033] • convert the measured value of said characteristic representative of the volume of air passing through said vent into a value of a variation in the volume of liquid product in the container;

[0034] • close said vent (18) when said measured value has reached a predefined value.

[0035] When a product is introduced into a container or is extracted from the container, air is expelled or sucked in depending on the variation in volume of the product in the container. In the case where a liquid product is poured from a bottle, for example a bottle of alcohol, the liquid leaving the bottle is replaced by air entering this bottle. According to the invention, the variation in volume of the liquid leaving the bottle is not measured directly, but indirectly, by measuring the volume of air entering the container. This variation in the volume of air is measured by forcing this air to pass through a vent comprising a unit for measuring the volume of air passing through this vent and by measuring the quantity of air passing through this vent during a certain time interval.

[0036] When the container is tilted to allow liquid to be poured, the liquid reaches the inlet of the conduit before reaching the inlet of the vent. This can be achieved by placing the end of the vent disposed in the container set back from the end of the conduit disposed in the container. Other embodiments are also conceivable, such as an angled vent, a siphon-shaped vent, etc.

[0037] As soon as air enters the container through the vent, this air prevents the liquid from escaping through this vent. The liquid therefore only escapes from the container through the conduit. The shape and / or cross-section of the conduit are such that air does not enter the container through this conduit when the liquid is in this conduit. In other words, air enters the container exclusively through the vent while the liquid leaves this container exclusively through the conduit. According to a preferred embodiment, the vent has a cross-section whose surface area is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the conduit.

[0038] Indirect measurement of the variation in liquid volume has many advantages over direct measurement. Indeed, the device of the invention can thus measure volumes of a wide range of different products such as liquids with a wide viscosity range. In particular, it is possible to use the measuring device for alcohol, oils, solvents, paints or mixtures of these products. It is possible to carry out measurements with corrosive liquids or liquids that must remain sterile during their transfer.

[0039] The measuring device according to the invention comprises a mechanism for automatically stopping the transfer of the product, for example when a certain predefined volume is reached. This stopping mechanism comprises a device for allowing or preventing air from entering the container. Surprisingly, although this closing mechanism only acts on the vent by closing or opening the air passage, this closing or opening has the effect of allowing or preventing the flow of the liquid.

[0040] The device of the invention may also comprise a module for converting the volume into another unit, for example a monetary unit, a mass unit, or other. According to different embodiments, it is possible to select a unit of measurement corresponding for example to a mass, an amount or other and to convert the volume measurements into this chosen unit. For example, it is possible to extract a certain quantity of a product from a container and to associate this quantity with an amount and / or a mass.

[0041] The measured and / or converted values ​​can be displayed on a display screen placed on the measuring device, on a multifunctional device such as a mobile phone with a dedicated application or on a specific display screen in particular.

[0042] It is possible to predefine a value related to the chosen unit of measurement and automatically stop the transfer of the product and / or trigger a signal indicating, for example, that the predefined value has been reached. The predefined value can be measured or defined in volume units or in any other desired unit related to the volume. Thus, it is possible to define a certain amount and stop pouring a liquid when the predefined amount is reached.

[0043] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The present invention and its advantages will be better understood with reference to the appended figures and to the detailed description of a particular embodiment, in which:

[0045] - figure 1 is a sectional view of the device of the invention according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0046] - figure 2 is a sectional view along another sectional plane of the device of figure 1; figure 3 is a perspective view of the device of figures 1 and 2. figure 4 is a top view of the device of figures 1 to 3;

[0047] METHOD OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0048] With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the volume measuring device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a device for dosing a liquid product poured from a container. This measuring device can in particular be used as a measuring cap 11 on a bottle of alcohol.

[0049] This measuring device comprises a body 12 secured to a sleeve 13. This sleeve can be placed on a container 14 and in particular in a neck 15 of a bottle 16. The sleeve 13 can typically have a certain elasticity or elastic fins for example, so that the same sleeve can be used on bottles having necks whose diameter varies slightly from one bottle to another, while being held in the neck. The elasticity of the sleeve or fins also has the function of ensuring a seal between the container and the measuring device so that neither air nor liquid passes between the sleeve and the neck of the bottle.

[0050] According to a variant, it is possible to place a seal between the container 14 and the sleeve 13 to ensure that the measuring cap 11 is held in the neck 15 and that there is a seal between the sleeve and the neck. The sleeve 13 is arranged so that the air passes only through the measuring device 10 when the product is extracted from the container. In other words, the air must not be able to flow between the neck 15 and the sleeve 13, but must pass through the measuring device. The product can pass either through the measuring device or through one or more conduits independent of the measuring device and provided for this purpose.

[0051] In the example illustrated, the body 12 is arranged outside the container 14 and has two passages. One of the passages is provided to receive a conduit 17 allowing the liquid contained in the bottle 16 to be poured. The other passage is provided to receive a vent 18. The conduit 17 passes through the sleeve 13 and the body 12 and connects the interior of the container 14 to the exterior. This conduit 17 is made of a material compatible with the product which must pass through it. It may in particular be made of stainless steel, polymer, galvanized metal or other. This conduit 17 has a diameter allowing the liquid to be poured relatively easily. For a bottle neck of the order of 20 mm in diameter, the diameter of the conduit 17 may be of the order of 6 mm for example.

[0052] The vent 18 is provided to allow the passage of air replacing the liquid that is extracted from the bottle. It has an opening arranged in the container and an opening arranged outside the container. This vent 18 can be separated into an upstream channel 18a and a downstream channel 18b. The upstream channel 18a is the one that receives the air first. In the case of a measuring cap in particular, the upstream channel 18a is the one whose opening is located outside the container. The downstream channel and the upstream channel of the container are linked so as to allow the passage of air from one to the other.

[0053] The vent comprises a measuring assembly 19 arranged to determine the volume of air having passed through the vent during a certain time interval, corresponding in principle to the duration of the measurement. This measuring assembly 19 can take several forms. In particular, it can use pressure or temperature sensors, possibly linked to a particular shape or structure of the vent, so as to generate a Venturi effect. It can take the form of a flow sensor whose measurements are integrated as a function of time, so as to calculate a volume. In practice, any assembly making it possible to measure the volume of air passing through the vent during the duration of the measurement can be envisaged.

[0054] Generally speaking and with some exceptions, the measuring system does not directly measure a volume of air, but rather measures a value of a characteristic representative of the volume of air passing through the vent. This characteristic depends on the type of measuring system used and may include a temperature difference, a pressure difference, a speed, a distance, a number of revolutions, etc.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, the measuring assembly 19 comprises a turbine 20 formed of a propeller 21 pivoting on an axis of rotation 22 and a magnet (not shown). This magnet is integral with the propeller or the axis of rotation in such a way that the rotation of the propeller 21 causes the rotation of the magnet. This magnet may be an annular magnet arranged around the axis of rotation 22 of the turbine. The magnet may itself constitute the axis of rotation of the turbine.

[0056] In this embodiment, the vent 18 comprises a housing 23 arranged between the upstream channel 18a and the downstream channel 18b. The axis of rotation 22 is arranged in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vent 18 so that the movement of air in the vent causes the propeller 21 to rotate about its axis of rotation. The propeller 21 is at least partially placed in the housing 23.

[0057] The rotation of the magnet causes a variation in the magnetic field which is detected by an induction coil (not shown). This variation in the magnetic field is used by a counting device (not shown) to deduce the number of turns made by the propeller 21 during a certain time interval.

[0058] For the rotation of the magnet to create a variation in the magnetic field detectable by the induction coil, one pole must not be arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation of the propeller. Thus, if the magnet is a ring magnet placed around the axis of the propeller, this magnet must have a diametrical magnetization. The same is true if the magnet constitutes the axis of rotation of the turbine or if the magnet is a ball. In other words, the axis of rotation 22 of the propeller is contained in a plane separating the north and south poles of the magnet.

[0059] Using a magnet and detecting the variation in the magnetic field generated by the rotation of this magnet is one way to count the number of turns of a propeller. According to another variant, one of the blades of the propeller 21 could have a different characteristic from the other blades. The number of turns is counted by the counting member by detecting the number of times the different blade passes in front of a sensor. The characteristics used to distinguish a blade could include a different material, the detection being done by using a physical characteristic of this material. The differentiating characteristic could be a different shape such as a notch or the absence of a notch, the detection being done for example by optical means. Other detectable characteristics could of course be used.The rotation of the turbine is produced by the movement of air in the vent 18, from the upstream channel 18a to the downstream channel 18b, passing close to the turbine 20. Optimal rotation of this turbine occurs when the section of the downstream channel 18b is larger than the section of the upstream channel 18a of the vent.

[0060] The air flow is reversed relative to the liquid flow in the conduit 17 since air is introduced into the container 14 as liquid leaves it. Thus, the downstream of the vent 18 is located close to the upstream of the conduit 17 and vice versa. In the illustrated embodiment, the air flows from the outside of the bottle to the inside.

[0061] The body 12 of the measuring cap 11 according to the invention comprises a power supply (not shown) which may in particular be produced in the form of a battery. This body 12 further contains a closing device 24 arranged to close or open the vent 18. According to a particular embodiment, the closing device 24 comprises a solenoid valve 25. By default, the solenoid valve 25 keeps the vent 18 closed. When the solenoid valve 25 is activated, the vent 18 is open.

[0062] In the embodiment described, the dosing cap 11 comprises a control module 26 arranged in particular to control the closing device 24.

[0063] The control module 26 may also include an adjustment element (not shown) for selecting the quantity of liquid that must be able to be extracted from the bottle. This adjustment element may allow a value to be selected from a certain number of predefined values, for example 5 cl, 1 dl or 2 dl. It may also allow the quantity to be adjusted in predefined steps, such as for example steps of 1 cl. It may also allow a value to be selected from predefined values, then these values ​​to be corrected.

[0064] The adjustment element is associated with a display 27 making it possible to make a selected or programmed quantity visible. This quantity may for example be a selected volume. It is possible to display other information such as for example an amount corresponding to the volume, a number of turns of the propeller or other information which has nothing to do with the measured volume. Such information may for example be a customer number, a name of the product poured, an identifier of the person using the device or any other information which may be useful depending on the context in which the device of the invention is used. The control module 26 further comprises a switch 28 making it possible in particular to control the closing device 24. This switch 28 can be controlled manually by the user, so as to act on the electrical supply of the closing device.It can also be controlled automatically by the position of the bottle. More specifically, the switch 28 can switch on the power supply to the solenoid valve when the bottle is slightly tilted. The power supply can be cut off when the bottle is placed vertically. It is also possible to provide a manual switch to manage the power supply to the control module 26 and an automatic switch to manage the power supply to the closing device 24.

[0065] The measuring device 10 of the invention further comprises a processing module 29 having in particular the function of receiving the information from the counting member and converting this information into a value representative of the volume of product transferred. A conversion module may also be provided to convert, for example, a measurement of the volume of the product into an amount or into other units. The processing module and the conversion module may be produced in the form of a single electronic module.

[0066] In the embodiment in which the measuring device 10 is used to pour a predefined quantity of alcohol from a bottle, the control module 26 is powered, and then the quantity of liquid to be poured is selected on the adjustment element. This quantity can be read on the display 27 for verification. When this selection step is passed, the bottle is manipulated in a conventional manner, to pour the liquid into a container. By default, the solenoid valve 25 closes the vent 18 and air cannot leave or enter through this vent. When the bottle is manipulated, the solenoid valve 25 is powered and the vent 18 is open. The bottle is tilted until the liquid can exit the bottle through conduit 17. The volume of liquid exiting the bottle is replaced by air entering through vent 18. No liquid exits through the vent, the entry of air through the vent having the effect of preventing liquid from entering through this vent.The air entering the bottle through the vent causes the turbine 20 to rotate. The number of revolutions of the turbine propeller is counted by the counting member, for example by counting the number of magnetic field change cycles induced by the rotation of the turbine magnet. A predefined quantity of liquid leaving the bottle is replaced by an equal quantity of air. Since this quantity of air enters the bottle exclusively through the vent 18 and the air passing through this vent causes the turbine 20 to rotate, a predefined quantity of liquid corresponds to a predefined number of revolutions of the turbine. This number of revolutions is in particular independent of the quantity of liquid remaining in the bottle and depends solely on the change in the volume of product in the bottle.

[0067] When the number of revolutions corresponding to the predefined quantity of liquid is reached, the control module 26 actuates the solenoid valve 25. This has the effect of closing the vent 18 and preventing air from entering the bottle. Surprisingly, this also has the effect of preventing liquid from escaping from the bottle, although the conduit 17 allowing the liquid to exit remains open. In this way, it is possible to pour a precise quantity of liquid. It is also possible to stop the flow of liquid without any action on the liquid outlet conduit 17.

[0068] This is particularly interesting for several reasons. The conduit 17 is entirely hollow and contains no elements that could alter the product or that could be altered by this product. This allows for simple cleaning of the conduit.

[0069] This conduit does not require any sealing element that could be in contact with the transferred product and which could be complex to produce, clean or sterilize. The conduit 17 can be made of any material suitable for the product and does not need to be adapted to a closing mechanism. In particular, the conduit can be made of a material compatible with use in the food industry, such as stainless steel.

[0070] As a concrete example, the conduit 17 for the passage of the liquid can be made of stainless steel and have a diameter of 4 to 6 mm. The vent 18 can have a diameter of 1.5 mm in its upstream channel. The turbine 20 can have a diameter of 6 to 8 mm according to a concrete embodiment. The passage of 1 dl of liquid corresponds to approximately 500 revolutions of the turbine. Since the counting of the number of revolutions of the turbine can be precise, the control of the quantity of liquid can also be precise.

[0071] The adjustment of the quantity of liquid can be carried out by means of an adjustment element attached to the measuring device or remotely, for example by means of a dedicated application that transmits the required information to the device. It is also possible to associate the quantity of liquid with an amount, knowing the unit cost of the drink or liquid.

[0072] The measuring device of the invention has been described above in the form of a measuring cap for a bottle of alcohol. This use is particularly interesting in the case of a bar or a restaurant. Indeed, the measuring device makes it possible to serve precise quantities of drinks and to control these quantities. It can also easily be moved from one bottle to another. The handling of the bottle by the person in charge of pouring the alcohol is not at all modified by the use of the invention. In particular, it is not necessary to add a gas cylinder or to pierce the caps with a needle, as in some of the devices of the prior art.

[0073] As mentioned above, the conduit is not necessarily connected to the body of the measuring device. It can in fact be completely separate from it. For example, it is possible to make the body of the measuring device in two parts. One of the parts contains the conduit for the passage of liquid, this part being able to be connected to a bottle until the latter is empty. The other part of the body can be placed on the first part of the body and be interchangeable and easily moved from one bottle to another. Thus, a part of the measuring device, in contact with the product, does not contain any moving elements or electronic components and remains on the bottle. Another part of the measuring device, containing moving elements and electronic components, is not in contact with the product and can easily be moved from one bottle to another, without having to be cleaned.

[0074] The device can also be used for liquids other than alcohol, including viscous liquids such as oils, for example. Since the liquid does not pass through the vent 18, it is not in contact with the turbine 20. Only air passes through the vent and rotates the turbine. As a result, the turbine is rotated in the same manner, regardless of the viscosity of the liquid being extracted from the container.

[0075] This also allows the same device to be used for corrosive, hot liquids or liquids that could damage or block the turbine in particular. In the examples described, the conduit for the passage of product is linked to the measuring device. Thus, the conduit passes through the body of the device in the illustrated embodiment. This is not, however, essential. Indeed, it is possible to use a container having a conduit for the passage of product independent of the measuring device. For example, it is possible to use a container made for example in the form of a container containing paint and provided with a conduit allowing the flow of paint. This container may include a passage for the installation of the measuring device as described previously.Since the product does not pass through the measuring device at all, a single measuring device can be used, for example, for several different paints from different containers. Even then, there is no risk of the paint in one container being contaminated by paint from another container when the measuring device is moved from one container to another. This makes it possible to mix paint and / or solvents, for example, when mixing paints or other products.

[0076] Before first using the measuring device of the invention, it may be useful to calibrate it to match a value measured by the air volume measuring assembly to a volume of product. In the case where the measuring assembly uses a turbine, the calibration consists in particular of matching a number of revolutions of the propeller to a volume of product. This can be done by calculation, by determining the volume of air displaced in the vent. It can also be done experimentally by transferring a known quantity of product and counting the number of turbine revolutions.

[0077] In some embodiments, the conduit 17 for the transfer of product is an integral part of the measuring device 10. In other embodiments, on the contrary, the container may have one or more conduits for the transfer of products which are independent of the measuring device 10. In all cases, the air which replaces the transferred product passes through the measuring device and more precisely through the vent 18.

[0078] The device of the invention has been described according to different embodiments for measuring a variation in the volume of product in a container. Different characteristics have been described in different embodiments. The characteristics of a specific embodiment could however be used in the other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. In the described embodiments, the container is surrounded by air. It is also possible to use the device of the invention in a different atmosphere, for example composed of an inert gas or a mixture of gases different from those forming air. The operating principle of the invention is however not modified compared to its operation in air.

Claims

Demands 1. A device for measuring a change in the volume of a liquid product in a container (14), said measuring device (10) comprising at least one conduit (17) arranged to allow the liquid product to flow out of the container, and a vent (18) separate from said conduit (17) and arranged to allow air to enter said container in place of the liquid product exiting said container (14), the air passing exclusively through said vent (18) and the liquid product passing exclusively through said at least one conduit (17), the measuring device further comprising a measuring assembly (19) arranged to measure a value of a characteristic representative of the volume of air passing through said vent (18), this measuring device (10) being characterized in that the measuring assembly (19) is not in contact with the liquid product,and in that this measuring device (10) further comprises a closing device (24) arranged to close or open said vent (18) and prevent or allow the passage of air into this vent, the closing of the vent (18) preventing air from entering the container (14) and preventing the liquid product from flowing out of said container (14).

2. Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a processing module (29) arranged to convert the value of said characteristic representing the volume of air passing through said vent (18) into a value of a variation in the volume of liquid in the container (14).

3. Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the closing device (24) comprises a solenoid valve (25).

4. Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a control module (26) arranged to control the closing device (24) of the vent (18).

5. Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the measuring assembly (19) comprises a propeller (21) set in rotation by the passage of air in said vent (18) and in that the characteristic representing the volume of air passing through said vent (18) is the number of turns of the propeller (21).

6. Measuring device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a counting element arranged to count the number of revolutions made by the propeller (21).

7. Measuring device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the helix (21) is integral with at least one magnet.

8. Measuring device according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the counting member comprises a coil disposed near said at least one magnet, this coil being arranged to detect variations in magnetic field generated by the rotation of the magnet.

9. Measuring device according to claim 5, characterized in that the vent (18) comprises an upstream channel (18a) and a downstream channel (18b) separated by a housing (23) and in that the propeller (21) is disposed in this housing (23).

10. A method for measuring a change in volume of a liquid product contained in a container (14), this method being characterized in that it comprises the steps of: • transfer liquid product through a conduit (17) of the container (14), the liquid product exiting the container (14) being replaced by air entering said container (14) exclusively through a vent (18); • measure a value of a characteristic representative of the volume of air passing through said vent (18) during the transfer of the liquid product; • convert the measured value of said characteristic representing the volume of air passing through said vent (18) into a value of a variation in the volume of liquid product in the container (14); • close said vent (18) when said measured value has reached a predefined value.

11. Measurement method according to claim 10, characterized in that the value of a characteristic representative of the volume of air passing through said vent (18) is measured by counting a number of revolutions made by a propeller (21) driven by the movement of air in said vent (18).

12. Measurement method according to claim 10, characterized in that said vent (18) is closed by actuating a closing device (24).

13. A measurement method according to claim 10, characterized in that: • a representative value is selected to represent a variation in the volume of liquid product in the container (14), • this selected value is converted into a value of a characteristic representative of the volume of air passing through said vent (18), • and this converted value is stored, the converted value forming the said predefined value.

14. Measurement method according to claims 11 and 13, characterized in that said representative value of a variation in volume of liquid product is selected according to a unit of volume measurement and said converted value is converted into a number of turns of the propeller (21).

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