Radiant energy – Photocells; circuits and apparatus – Optical or pre-photocell system
Reexamination Certificate
2006-09-29
2010-12-14
Lee, John R (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Photocells; circuits and apparatus
Optical or pre-photocell system
C250S231150, C073S861770
Reexamination Certificate
active
07851775
ABSTRACT:
An apparatus for monitoring the consumption of fluid by a user, particularly fluids being drank from a container. The apparatus may be used with wide variety of container types. The fluid monitoring unit uses a pair of gears in rotational engagement with each other such that fluid passes around them and rotation of at least one gear is indicative of fluid consumption. The gears in at least one exemplary embodiment are arranged to have low frictional resistance with respect to each other and their respective axles such that the gears quickly and easily rotate and over a wide fluid flow range. This allows the apparatus to accurately and consistently monitor fluid flow from very low flow rates to high flow rates and therefore provide very reliable consumption information. The apparatus in one exemplary embodiment includes an electromagnetic drinking straw embodiment that allows a user to monitor the consumption of fluids from virtually any container type.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3291059 (1966-12-01), Werra
patent: 4184808 (1980-01-01), Cobb
patent: 4393724 (1983-07-01), Werkmann et al.
patent: 4489616 (1984-12-01), Priddy
patent: 4815318 (1989-03-01), LoPresti
patent: 4856427 (1989-08-01), Gasparrini
patent: 5668327 (1997-09-01), Amemori et al.
patent: 5747703 (1998-05-01), Plisson et al.
patent: 6206666 (2001-03-01), Steinrock et al.
patent: 6212959 (2001-04-01), Perkins
patent: 6252494 (2001-06-01), Howell
patent: 6411909 (2002-06-01), Charrier et al.
patent: 6644947 (2003-11-01), Cavanaugh
patent: 6739205 (2004-05-01), Vun Cannon
patent: 6759969 (2004-07-01), Lund
patent: 7533783 (2009-05-01), Choi et al.
patent: 2002/0129663 (2002-09-01), Hoyt et al.
patent: 2002/0159906 (2002-10-01), Phallen et al.
patent: 2003/0175141 (2003-09-01), Cavanaugh
patent: 2005/0182356 (2005-08-01), Dixon
patent: 2007/0090296 (2007-04-01), Hoyt et al.
patent: 2007/0098576 (2007-05-01), Horng et al.
OMEGA Technologies, Mechanical Flowmeters, Transactions in Measurement and Control, 1999, pp. 34-45, vol. 4, Putnam Publishing Co. and OMEGA Press.
OMEGA Technologies, Electronic Flowmeters, Transactions in Measurement and Control, 1999, pp. 46-57, vol. 4, Putnam Publishing Co. and OMEGA Press.
Hickcox Matthew Stevens
Hoyt Reed Wasson
Montain Scott James
Wollowitz Michael H.
Arwine Elizabeth
Lee John R
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of
LandOfFree
Gear-type drink-o-meter to monitor fluid consumption does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Gear-type drink-o-meter to monitor fluid consumption, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gear-type drink-o-meter to monitor fluid consumption will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-4220355