Wireless Pour Spout Control for Accurate Liquor Dispensing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquor dispensing systems lack accuracy and accountability, leading to inconsistent pour volumes and potential over-serving, which affects profit margins and drink quality, and do not provide a mechanism for proper inventory tracking.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a pour spout with a wireless control unit, server interface, and POS terminal that tracks and regulates liquor dispensing through wireless communication, ensuring precise volume control and inventory management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a simple bottle spout is used for dispensing liquor, then the device complexity is low and ease of operation is high, but the manufacturing precision and measurement precision of pour volume are insufficient leading to inconsistent flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepour volume consistencyVSAvoidspout system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the simple mechanical spout system with an electronically controlled valve system that uses wireless communication and digital sensors to regulate liquor flow. The mechanical pouring action is substituted with an electronic control system that includes a controller, valve actuator, and digital measurement components to achieve precise and consistent pour volumes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through digital sensors that monitor the actual pour volume and provide real-time data to the controller. The controller adjusts the valve operation based on this feedback to maintain consistent flow rates and achieve target pour volumes, resolving the precision issue while managing system complexity through intelligent control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of information

If free pouring without accounting is allowed, then the ease of operation is high, but the loss of information regarding inventory and sales occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory tracking accuracyVSAvoiddispensing operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements self-service functionality where the dispensing apparatus automatically tracks and records pour volumes, inventory levels, and sales data without requiring manual intervention. The wireless communication system automatically transmits data to remote devices, eliminating the need for manual inventory tracking while maintaining operational simplicity for the bartender.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual inventory tracking and accounting processes are replaced with an automated electronic system that uses wireless communication to transmit dispensing data to remote devices. This substitution eliminates information loss while maintaining ease of operation, as the system handles tracking automatically without adding complexity to the pouring action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If variables such as pouring angle, volume remaining, and temperature are not controlled, then the ease of operation is high, but the manufacturing precision and consistency of flow rate deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rate consistencyVSAvoidbartender operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Digital sensors provide real-time feedback on pouring angle, volume remaining, and temperature conditions to the controller. The controller processes this data and adjusts valve operation to compensate for variable conditions, maintaining consistent flow rates without requiring the bartender to manually control these parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual control and monitoring of pouring variables are replaced with electronic sensors and digital processing. The system automatically detects and compensates for changes in pouring angle, volume remaining, and temperature, achieving flow rate consistency while keeping the operation simple for the bartender.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If a wireless control system with multiple components is implemented, then the measurement precision and accountability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensed volume accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless control system is designed with multi-functional components that perform multiple tasks. The controller handles valve control, data processing, wireless communication, and sensor integration in a single integrated unit. This universality reduces the number of separate components needed, managing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision and accountability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12522424B2Systems and method of use for dispensing liquids from a container

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 BERG LIQUOR SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A method for dispensing a beverage from a bottle that includes communicating a dispensing authorization message from a control unit to at least one of a server interface carried by a beverage server and a pour spout secured to a bottle, wherein the dispensing authorization message at least one of includes or initiates a dispensing command, and wherein the pour spout responds to the dispensing command by opening a spout valve through which a beverage flows from the bottle and out of the pour spout.