Provided is a portable, self-contained beverage apparatus. The beverage apparatus includes a container assembly having a known storage capacity for storing a consumable liquid, and a dispensing assembly disposed within the container assembly that dispenses variable, non-zero quantities of additives into the consumable liquid. The dispensing assembly includes multiple apertures structured and arranged to retain vessels containing the additives to be dispensed into the consumable liquid. The beverage apparatus also includes a level sensor disposed within the container assembly that determines a consumable liquid level of the consumable liquid stored in the container assembly.

Provided is a printer including an ink tank provided with, at a side surface, an optical separator for separating light in a vertical direction, a print head performing printing by using ink in the ink tank, a photoelectric conversion device detecting light incident from the ink tank after passing through the optical separator, and a processing unit detecting an amount of ink in the ink tank based on an output of the photoelectric conversion device.

Provided is a printer including an ink tank, a print head performing printing by using ink in the ink tank, a light source irradiating the ink tank with light, a photoelectric conversion device detecting light incident from the ink tank in a period during which the light source emits light, and a processing unit determining ink characteristics based on characteristics of a light amount detected by the photoelectric conversion device.

A fluid level determining system is for determining a fluid level of a fluid in a reservoir having an interior surface and an opposite, exterior surface. The fluid level determining system includes an emitter configured to be positioned along the exterior surface of the reservoir and emit signals into the reservoir and a receiver configured to be positioned along the exterior surface of the reservoir such that the receiver is oriented in the direction of the emitter. The receiver is configured to receive signals from the emitter passing out of the reservoir. The signals received by the receiver are attenuated relative to the signals emitted by the emitter into the reservoir. A controller is in communication with the receiver and configured to determine the fluid level based on the signals received by the receiver.

Principals of refraction of a light ray are used to identify the location of an interface between two materials having different refractive indices. The interface may be an interface between a plasma layer and a red blood cell layer of a centrifuged container, for example. An array of light detector elements are arranged to receive light that has been refracted through different layers in a centrifuged sample. Elements of the light detector array are arranged at known locations relative to an emitter of the light so detection of light by one or more particular detector elements is indicative of the angle of refraction of the light. Vertical position of the sample is tracked and correlated with corresponding angles of refraction to determine the vertical position of the sample when a change in the angle of diffraction is detected.

In a liquid level monitor for use with a liquid container of a liquid-consuming device, a light source transmits a light beam into the liquid container at a non-normal angle of incidence respective to a wall of the liquid container. A photodetector is positioned in the path of one of (i) the light beam after passing through the liquid container when the light beam is not refracted by liquid in the liquid container and (ii) the light beam after passing through the liquid container when the light beam is refracted by liquid in the liquid container. In another approach, the sensor for detecting empty includes a vibrator and a vibration sensor, and an electronic processor is programmed to determine whether the liquid container is empty of liquid based on the detected vibration of the liquid container.

A paver material feed sensing system for a paving machine can comprise a sensor, sensor bracket, swivel assembly and mounting post. The sensor bracket can comprise an adjustable socket for receiving the sensor. The mounting post can comprise a first end coupled to the swivel assembly and a mounting slot located in a second end. The mounting slot can comprise a multi-faceted seat for engaging an edge of a plate of the paving machine. A method of positioning a paver material flow sensor can comprise tilting the mounting post on the plate of the paving machine.

The system includes an apparatus which automatically measures an inventory of a consumable good and tracks the inventory as it is used. The system may include a signaling device which creates a signal when a defined minimum amount of the consumable good has been reached. The apparatus may also send the user an electronic message that the defined minimum has been reached. The system may then automatically submit an order to a supplier for a replacement supply of the consumable good. This system may be used to track supply and reorder animal food, food staples, production supplies, manufacturing parts, or virtually any consumable good. Accordingly, a user may avoid the inconvenience and loss of time and money due to failure to timely replace a consumable good.

A trap bowl is provided to accumulate liquid droplets from a filter, as a liquid content. The trap bowl includes a transparent vertical prism. The transparent vertical prism includes a face that forms a vertical transparent surface facing against a content of the section. The face can provide a first angle of total reflection when content of the section is a type of gas, and a second angle of total reflection when the content of the section is the liquid content. A light source may emit a light beam incident on the face at an angle of incidence. The angle of incidence results in reflection of the light beam, striking the light receiver, when the face has the first angle of total reflection, and results in refraction of the light beam, missing the light receiver, when the face has the second angle of total reflection.

The invention provides a water quality analyzer with which an abnormality in the collection of water can be determined by detecting whether or not a predetermined amount of a liquid sample has been fed into a sample container. The analyzer is formed of: a sample container 53 into which a liquid sample can be introduced through a liquid sample introduction port 53e formed in a lower portion of the container 53; a light source unit 51 for irradiating the container 53 with light; and a detection unit 52 for detecting light that has passed through the container 53, and further includes a determination unit for determining whether or not a predetermined amount of the liquid sample has been contained in the container 53 on the basis of the change in the light intensity detected by the detection unit 52 when the liquid sample is fed into the container 53.