Inventors:
Shannon Perkins - Denver CO, US
Jonathan Ross - Denver CO, US
Joseph Calkins - Florence KY, US
International Classification:
G06F 17/00, B67D 7/06
US Classification:
700244, 222 23, 700231, 700236, 700237
Abstract:
A system for dispensing beverages includes a container coupler having a sensor box with a fluid flow sensor, and a tag reader for reading identification tags mounted on a container. The container coupler has a handle for selectively actuating the container coupler to attach and remove the container coupler from a container. The container coupler has a gas inlet for pressurizing a container, and a fluid outlet for delivering fluid to a dispenser. The sensor box is affixed to the fluid outlet, or integrated with the container coupler, to enable the fluid flow sensor to measure fluid flow volumes, rates, or both. The tag reader is affixed on the sensor box of the container coupler for reading identification tags from a keg. An advantage of having a sensor box on the container coupler is that the sensor box is held during use in close proximity to any tags affixed to the container.