There is provided a liquid sales management device capable of being added to a liquid supply system, the liquid supply system supplying a liquid within a storage container to a dispensing device through a supply pipe with the liquid pressurized in order to cool the liquid in the dispensing device, and dispensing the cooled liquid to a drinking container. The liquid sales management device includes an actual flow rate determining unit that determines a actual measured flow rate of the liquid dispensed into the drinking container from the dispensing device, a cleaning mode detection unit that detects a cleaning mode in the liquid supply system, and a consumption flow rate acquisition unit that determines an actual consumption of the liquid with the number of times of the cleaning mode, a known liquid amount consumed with one operation of the cleaning mode in the liquid supply system, and the actual measured flow rate.

There is provided a liquid sales management system that includes a liquid supply system and a sales information management system in a store, and a management server that performs information communication with the liquid supply system and the sales information management system. The liquid supply system includes a dispensing device that dispenses a liquid to a drinking container, an actual flow rate preparation part that determines an actual measured flow rate of the liquid dispensed into the drinking container from the dispensing device, and a transmission and reception part. The sales information management system is a system that sends sales information to a communication line. The management server includes a consumption analysis part that determines a difference between an apparent liquid amount and the actual measured flow rate, as a non-sale amount of the liquid.

An on-demand fluid transfer pump includes a power head removably connectable on top of a stem that is removably connectable to a fluid supply. The power head includes an electric pump and a flow control unit configured to automatically switch the electric pump on and off. The flow control unit includes a magnetic sensor and the stem includes a suction tube, a fluid chamber, a plunger chamber, and a magnetic plunger reciprocable within the plunger chamber in response to pressure changes in the fluid chamber. The magnetic plunger is biased to deactuate the magnetic sensor to switch on the electric pump to pressurize the fluid supply for delivery to the fluid dispenser. The magnetic plunger is pushed when pressure in the fluid chamber rises to thereby actuate the magnetic sensor to switch off the electric pump.

This disclosure includes devices, systems, apparatuses, and implementations associated with a wall-mounted beverage dispensing system. The beverage dispensing system is configured to fit between standard space between studs. In some implementations, the studs may provide the sole support for the beverage dispensing system. The beverage dispensing system may include a filter that is accessible for replacement without the use for tools.

Keg sensors and keg sensor assemblies are disclosed. In some embodiments, the keg sensor may include a main body and a first connector attached to the main body and configured to be connected to a keg dispensing coupler. The keg dispensing coupler may be configured to be moved between a closed position and an open position; The keg sensor may additionally include a second connector attached to the main body and configured to be connected to a valve of a keg. The keg sensor may further include a sensor assembly attached to the main body and configured to detect one or more operating parameters of liquid dispensed, via the keg dispensing coupler, from the keg through the keg sensor. In some embodiments, the keg sensor assembly may include a keg sensor and a stack cage assembly. The stack cage assembly may include a cage sized to surround the keg sensor.

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.

A tap tower and keg tap alert system combination for alerting bartenders when a beer keg is running low or empty includes a coupler that is configured to selectively engage a beer keg, a first hose coupled to the coupler that is in fluid communication with the coupler, and a sensor coupled to the first hose. The sensor utilizes a flow sensor to detect flow volume and pressure of beer in the hose. A battery is used for power. A second hose is coupled to the sensor and a tap faucet of a tap tower. An indicator is coupled to the sensor that is in operational communication with an LED light coupled within the tap tower. The LED light is configured to shine green, orange, and alternatively, red, when pressure and volume detected indicate the beer keg is good, nearing empty, and empty, respectively.

A system for sensing empty soft drink syrup containers in a soda pop dispensing arrangement is provided that includes at least one soft drink syrup container; a mixing station for mixing water and CO.sub.2 with soft drink syrup to make a soda pop mixture; a pump for pumping soft drink syrup to the mixing station and beyond to be dispensed; a CO.sub.2 container providing CO.sub.2 gas; and a soda pop dispenser apparatus. The system also includes a first tubing transmission line extending between the soft drink syrup container and the pump for carrying soft drink syrup, a second tubing transmission line for carrying soft drink syrup between the pump and the mixing station, and a third tubing transmission line extending between the mixing station and the soda pop dispenser for carrying soda pop to be dispensed. An optic sensor is located and spliced in the first tubing transmission line for sensing when the first tubing transmission line is devoid of soft drink syrup, and a signal indicator electrically connected with the optic sensor provides a signal indicating when the first tubing transmission line is devoid of syrup.

A method of determining a sold-out state of a beverage dispenser is provided. The method includes providing a beverage dispenser including a pump having a gas exhaust port, a dispensing valve, and a sensor disposed on the pump gas exhaust port. The method may include activating the beverage dispenser to dispense a beverage through the dispensing valve and during the activating, sensing a gas exhaust pattern of the pump. The method may also include generating a signal based on the sensed gas exhaust pattern and determining whether the beverage dispenser is in a normal-pour state or a sold-out state. The method may also include providing feedback about the sold-out state to a user interface of the beverage dispenser.

Supply chain systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring fluid levels in liquid containers, such as kegs. Embodiments include sensors that fit within a keg's false bottom, measure the weight of the keg, and transmit the weight information to a computer database via a wireless network. Other embodiments include an RFID device with information about a characteristic of the liquid within a keg (such as brand and/or type of beer) that may be attached to the keg and paired with the sensor so the sensor can transmit information about the characteristic of the liquid in the keg. In alternate embodiments, the sensor's transmitter is short range and an uplink/gateway is used to receive information from the sensor and relay that sensor's information to a broader wireless network. Multiple containers in close proximity may each be fitted with an RFID device and sensor and communicate their individual information to the database.