A method and device for indicating whether a dispensable product will require refilling prior to the next scheduled service interval includes tracking the amount of use over a first interval, and calculating a frequency based from the use over the first interval. The quantity remaining is compared with the required amount, which is the product of the number of weeks in the service interval and the calculated frequency. Thus, when the quantity remaining is less that the required amount, a warning will be provided to indicate that the dispensing product should be replaced, as it will be empty before the next service interval.

A method and device for indicating whether a dispensable product will require refilling prior to the next scheduled service interval includes tracking the amount of use over a first interval, and calculating a frequency based from the use over the first interval. The quantity remaining is compared with the required amount, which is the product of the number of weeks in the service interval and the calculated frequency. Thus, when the quantity remaining is less that the required amount, a warning will be provided to indicate that the dispensing product should be replaced, as it will be empty before the next service interval.

An inspection line comprises: at a finish inspection station, a finish inspection installation capable of detecting without contact, by light rays, check-type defects in the neck of the containers; at a base inspection station, a base inspection installation capable of detecting without contact, by light rays, check-type defects in the base of the containers; and at a radiographic measuring station, a radiographic installation for automatically measuring linear dimensions of at least one region to be inspected of containers. The three installations are each arranged at stations distinct from each other along a trajectory of displacement of the containers. In each installation, a section of the transport device ensures, in the inspection area of the installation, the transport of the containers along a rectilinear portion of the trajectory (T) in a horizontal conveying plane (Pc) perpendicular to the central axis of the containers.

A method to improve efficiency of operating a sterilizer is disclosed. The method includes determining a volume of a load inside the sterilizer based on pressure measurements as a function of time. The determined volume may be used to decide whether to conduct a sterilization procedure. If the sterilization procedure is to be conducted, the volume data may be used to estimate the duration of the procedure, which duration may be communicated to a user.

A method to improve efficiency of operating a sterilizer is disclosed. The method includes determining a volume of a load inside the sterilizer based on pressure measurements as a function of time. The determined volume may be used to decide whether to conduct a sterilization procedure. If the sterilization procedure is to be conducted, the volume data may be used to estimate the duration of the procedure, which duration may be communicated to a user.

A replenishment receptacle comprised of a volumetric region for storing a consumable good during shipping to a consumer location, a processor, a transceiver, programmatic instructions stored in a non-transitory storage medium, an a sensor for determining a quantity of the consumable good in the volumetric region. The sensor periodically detects and reports changes in the quantity of the consumable good present the volumetric region. When the quantity is low (below an established threshold), the consumer good is automatically reordered from a vender, purchased, and shipped to a consumer location. In embodiments, a rate of consumption of the consumable good affects when automatic reordering occurs to ensure the consumable good does not run-out before a new quantity arrives at the consumer location. The replenishment receptacle is able to be discarded in embodiments, where in others it is reusable and/or partially recyclable.

A replenishment receptacle comprised of a volumetric region for storing a consumable good during shipping to a consumer location, a processor, a transceiver, programmatic instructions stored in a non-transitory storage medium, an a sensor for determining a quantity of the consumable good in the volumetric region. The sensor periodically detects and reports changes in the quantity of the consumable good present the volumetric region. When the quantity is low (below an established threshold), the consumer good is automatically reordered from a vender, purchased, and shipped to a consumer location. In embodiments, a rate of consumption of the consumable good affects when automatic reordering occurs to ensure the consumable good does not run-out before a new quantity arrives at the consumer location. The replenishment receptacle is able to be discarded in embodiments, where in others it is reusable and/or partially recyclable.

A dispense control system for filling a container using a dispensing assembly of a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The dispense control system includes an emitter for generating a beam of energy and a scanning assembly for selectively directing the beam of energy along a scan path comprising a plurality of scan positions. A receiver detects the beam of energy reflected by the container or the liquid at each of the plurality of scan positions and a controller determines a height of the container or the liquid at each of the plurality of scan positions along the scan path based at least in part on a travel time of the beam of energy between the emitter and the receiver.

A dispense control system for filling a container using a dispensing assembly of a refrigerator appliance and a method for operating the same are provided. The dispense control system includes an emitter for generating a beam of energy and a scanning assembly for selectively directing the beam of energy along a scan path comprising a plurality of scan positions. A receiver detects the beam of energy reflected by the container or the liquid at each of the plurality of scan positions and a controller determines a height of the container or the liquid at each of the plurality of scan positions along the scan path based at least in part on a travel time of the beam of energy between the emitter and the receiver.

Provided are systems and methods for line volume calibration, and measurement of fluid samples delivered to an interrogation point. In various embodiments, a known fluid volume comprising a sample line fluid and a secondary fluid is delivered to a fluid boundary sensor. The fluid boundary sensor assists in determining the position of the boundaries between the various fluids, and the positions of these boundaries are used to determine the sample line fluid volume.