GB2180648A

GB2180648A - Bottle measuring device

Info

Publication number: GB2180648A
Application number: GB08621685A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Horace Kimpton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-09-16
Filing date: 1986-09-09
Publication date: 1987-04-01
Also published as: GB8621685D0; GB2180648B

Abstract

A device for measuring the contents of a bottle is a sheet (10) of plastics or card with a profiled edge (14) shaped to fit closely against the exterior of a bottle. Calibrations (15) along this edge provide an immediate read-out for the amount left in the bottle. One side of the tool may be calibrated for the bottle in the normal upright position and the other side for the bottle inverted and fitted with an "optic" dispenser. The profiled edge (14) matches a particular bottle, and a set of devices can be provided to match a variety of bottles stocked, e.g. by a publican. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Bottle measuring tools This invention relates to bottle measuring tools.

It is difficultfora publican to quickly assess the contents of an opened bottle of spirits, liqueurs, wines orthe like. This is problem both for stocktaking and for assessing cash flow.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple tool to measure the contents of a bottle.

Other objects and advantages of the present inventin will become apparentfrom the following des- cription.

In a broad aspect, the present invention resides in a measuring device for use in determining the contents of a bottle comprising a profiled edge conform ing to the external profile of the bottle to which the device isto be applied in use so asto engagethe edge against the bottle around the external profile thereof, extending from at least a position adjacent the level in the bottle when filled and a position adjacent the lower reaches of the level when the bottle is nearempty,the profiled edge being calibrated therealong with ascaleorindiciato indicatethecontents ofthe bottle.

Preferably, the body is substantially planar and is formed of plastics, printed card, or other suitable material with a profile on one side edge correspond ing to the profile of the bottle.

In use the bottom of the board might be aligned with the bottom ofthe bottle to enablethevolumeof the contents to be measured.

The calibration marks or indicia may indicate the numberoffluid ounces, millilitres or e.g. 30 ml meas uresremaining in the bottle or any other dispensed amounts dependent on the custom of particular regions. Markings may be provided on both sides of the body, one side being used when the bottle is up right on a shelf, the other side when the bottle is inverted e.g.for use with an "optic dispenser" orsep aratetools might be provided in respect ofthesetwo separate modes of use.

To enable the invention to be fully understood, a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a front view a measuring tool for measuring the numberof 30 ml measures in a bottle of "Bailey's Irish Cream" (trade mark).

The tool 10 may be formed ofa thin sheet of plastics materials, a printed card etc., with a vertical side edge 11 and a horizontai top edge 12. The horizontal bottom edge 13 may have a flange of increased thick nesstosupportthetoolonashelfasadatum.The side 14 of the tool may also haveaflange profiled to match the profile of a bottle of "Bailey's Irish Cream"(trade mark). The tool might be constructed using 250 gram 'ivory' art board, laminated on both sides with 175 micron clear plastic film. The art board is printed, laminated and cut to shape.

Calibration markings 15 are provided on the body 16 ofthetool to indicatethe number of 30 ml meausre in the bottle, tenths, or other volumes as required. As indicated, a 700 ml bottle contains 231/3X 30 ml measures.

In Figure 1, a second scale 18 is providedto measure off 'tenths' along the 30 ml nips in case a measurementofthat nature is required.

In use, the bottle and the tool are placed side-by side on a shelf or counterandthe level of liquid in the bottle opposite in calibration marking 15will indicate e.g. 11 x 30 ml measures remaining in the bottle.

For use with e.g. spirits bottles, the other side of the body can be marked to indicate the measures re maining in a bottle which is inverted, for use with an "optic" dispenser, without requiring removal of the bottle from its holder. Alternatively, a separate tool may be provided forthis application.

It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee thatdifferenttoolswill be required for different shaped bottles. Typically, a kit for bar management might comprises over one hundred tools each stacked in order of use so as to enable a quick stock take.

The tools can be easily washed or wiped after use and may be kept on a ring etc., which passesthrough a hole 17 in the body so asto retain them in "barshelf order" for fast and convenient use.

Whiletheinvention is simple, it enables a publican or bar managerto quickly assessthevolume of alcoholic beverages to hand, the rate of consumption (e.g. and the cash flow) by checking the levels atthe end of a trading period. The usages may then be ex pressed in cash and compared with the actual cash received for the use of those spirits and liqueurs.

Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the present invention.

1. A measuring device for use in determining the contents of a bottle comprising a profiled edge conforming to the external profile of the bottle to which the device isto be applied in use so asto engagethe edge againstthe bottle aroundthe external profile thereof, extending from at least a position adjacent the level in the bottle when filled and a position adjacent the lower reaches ofthe level when the bottle is near empty, the profiled edge being calibrated therealong with a scale or indicia to indicate the contents of the bottle.

2. A measuring device as claimed in Claim 1 wherein: the profiled edge is provided with two scales so as to indicate the contents ofthe bottle in eitheroftwo orientations.

3. A measuring device as claimed in either one of Ciaims 1 or2wherein; the measuring device is a plate like body with an edge thereof contoured to provide the profiled edge.

4. A measuring device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein; the measuring device is provided with an end surface to be engaged with a base upon which the bottle might be stood, the end surface being orientated such thatwhen the end surface is so engaged with said box, the profiled edge may be engaged against the bottle around the external surface thereof.

5. A method for measuring the contents of a

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Bottle measuring tools This invention relates to bottle measuring tools. It is difficultfora publican to quickly assess the contents of an opened bottle of spirits, liqueurs, wines orthe like. This is problem both for stocktaking and for assessing cash flow. It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple tool to measure the contents of a bottle. Other objects and advantages of the present inventin will become apparentfrom the following des- cription. In a broad aspect, the present invention resides in a measuring device for use in determining the contents of a bottle comprising a profiled edge conform ing to the external profile of the bottle to which the device isto be applied in use so asto engagethe edge against the bottle around the external profile thereof, extending from at least a position adjacent the level in the bottle when filled and a position adjacent the lower reaches of the level when the bottle is nearempty,the profiled edge being calibrated therealong with ascaleorindiciato indicatethecontents ofthe bottle. Preferably, the body is substantially planar and is formed of plastics, printed card, or other suitable material with a profile on one side edge correspond ing to the profile of the bottle. In use the bottom of the board might be aligned with the bottom ofthe bottle to enablethevolumeof the contents to be measured. The calibration marks or indicia may indicate the numberoffluid ounces, millilitres or e.g. 30 ml meas uresremaining in the bottle or any other dispensed amounts dependent on the custom of particular regions. Markings may be provided on both sides of the body, one side being used when the bottle is up right on a shelf, the other side when the bottle is inverted e.g.for use with an "optic dispenser" orsep aratetools might be provided in respect ofthesetwo separate modes of use. To enable the invention to be fully understood, a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows a front view a measuring tool for measuring the numberof 30 ml measures in a bottle of "Bailey's Irish Cream" (trade mark). The tool 10 may be formed ofa thin sheet of plastics materials, a printed card etc., with a vertical side edge 11 and a horizontai top edge 12. The horizontal bottom edge 13 may have a flange of increased thick nesstosupportthetoolonashelfasadatum.The side 14 of the tool may also haveaflange profiled to match the profile of a bottle of "Bailey's Irish Cream"(trade mark). The tool might be constructed using 250 gram 'ivory' art board, laminated on both sides with 175 micron clear plastic film. The art board is printed, laminated and cut to shape. Calibration markings 15 are provided on the body 16 ofthetool to indicatethe number of 30 ml meausre in the bottle, tenths, or other volumes as required. As indicated, a 700 ml bottle contains 231/3X 30 ml measures. In Figure 1, a second scale 18 is providedto measure off 'tenths' along the 30 ml nips in case a measurementofthat nature is required. In use, the bottle and the tool are placed side-by side on a shelf or counterandthe level of liquid in the bottle opposite in calibration marking 15will indicate e.g. 11 x 30 ml measures remaining in the bottle. For use with e.g. spirits bottles, the other side of the body can be marked to indicate the measures re maining in a bottle which is inverted, for use with an "optic" dispenser, without requiring removal of the bottle from its holder. Alternatively, a separate tool may be provided forthis application. It will be readily apparent to the skilled addressee thatdifferenttoolswill be required for different shaped bottles. Typically, a kit for bar management might comprises over one hundred tools each stacked in order of use so as to enable a quick stock take. The tools can be easily washed or wiped after use and may be kept on a ring etc., which passesthrough a hole 17 in the body so asto retain them in "barshelf order" for fast and convenient use. Whiletheinvention is simple, it enables a publican or bar managerto quickly assessthevolume of alcoholic beverages to hand, the rate of consumption (e.g. and the cash flow) by checking the levels atthe end of a trading period. The usages may then be ex pressed in cash and compared with the actual cash received for the use of those spirits and liqueurs. Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the present invention. CLAIMS

5. A method for measuring the contents of a bottle comprising the steps of placing a measuring device having a calibrated profiled edge against the bottle around the external profile thereof in an axial direction and reading the level of fluid or other material in the bottle against the calibrations.

6. A measuring device substantially as here it before described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

7. A method for measuring the contents of a bottle substantially as hereinbefore described.