Fluid container with discrete modularized multiple sensing system and method

摘要

A fluid container (10) with a hollow body (12) for containing a fluid such as beverage (22) with a surrounding sidewall (16) extending between a top (18) and a bottom (20) provided with a flexible sensing strip (14) with discrete modular fluid characteristic sensing elements mounted to the sidewall (16) of a hollow body (12) for sensing an actual physical parameter of the fluid, a control module (24) and a detachable interface (26) between the sensing strip (14) and the control module (24) to enable sensing signals to be passed from the sensing strip (14) to the control module (24) has a detachable interface enabling tool-less disconnection of the control module (24) from the sensing strip (14) to enable replacement with another control module for repair or servicing. The individual sensing elements may also be toolessly disconnected from the strip for replacement or repair.

主权项

1. An insulated beverage dispenser with a hollow, opaque body for independently bolding a quantity of beverage composed of a plurality of individual serving cups of beverage to be dispensed, comprising:
a hollow body for containing a beverage with a surrounding sidewall extending between a closable open top and a closed bottom and having an interior surface and an exterior surface; a flexible sensing strip fixedly mounted to one of the exterior surface and the interior surface of the surrounding sidewall of the hollow body for sensing at least one actual physical parameter of the beverage including the quantity of the beverage within the hollow body; a control module mounted to the hollow body including a display for visually displaying information obtained from the sensing strip; and a detachable interface between the sensing strip and the control module to enable sensing signals to be passed from the sensing strip to the control module, said detachable interface enabling tool-less separation and disconnection of the control module from the sensing strip to enable replacement with another control module for repair, recharging, replenishing, downloading sensing data, sharing, upgrades, receipt of service packages or other repair or servicing.