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.

A beverage supplying device, wherein the device is provided with a controller for discharging the beverage selected from multiple types of beverages from a prescribed nozzle, and a storage unit for storing data that indicates the dilution ratio of each of the beverages, the remaining amount of each of the syrups, and the supply amount per container of the beverage. The controller calculates the discharge amount per container of syrup used to produce the selected beverage on the basis of the data indicating the dilution ratio of the selected beverage, and the data indicating the supply amount per container of the beverage. Next, the controller calculates the number of selected beverages available for sale on the basis of the data indicating the remaining amount of syrup used to produce the selected beverage and the calculated discharge amount, and displays available-for-sale numbers.

A device includes a coupling component configured to be coupled to a moveable component of a content dispensing mechanism. The device includes a sensor configured to detect movement of the content dispensing mechanism. The device includes a processor configured to, based at least in part on the detected movement of the content dispensing mechanism, determine one or more values corresponding to an amount of content dispensed by the content dispensing mechanism. The device includes a wireless signal transmitter configured to report the one or more values corresponding to the amount of content dispensed by the content dispensing mechanism.

An apparatus for measuring a volume of liquor dispensed from a bottle may have at least one transparent substrate having a first side and an opposite second side. A shaded background is on the first side or second side and outlining at least one transparent bottle profile of a geometric shape of a bottle corresponding to a brand of liquor. In addition, at least one volume scale is on one of the sides of the substrate and the at least one scale is associated with the at least one bottle profile to measure a level of liquor in the bottle.

A system and method determines an amount of water and water flow rate in a water dispenser system including a container/bottle, using a strain gage device(s) mounted on a structure or plane in relationship to the container/bottle. One or more strain gages are configured in a position to measure force per unit area, exerted by a portion of the water container/bottle in a normal or direction substantially perpendicular to a surface or plane on which the strain gage device(s) are mounted. The portion of the container/bottle is positioned in direct or indirect contact with the one or more strain gages to produce a strain gage signal representative of the amount of water in the container/bottle and periodic sampling of the strain gage signal is representative of flow rate of water from the container/bottle. Signals from the strain gage(s) are processed in a manner that allows the amount and rate of consumption of water to be monitored and determined automatically on-site or remotely.

An electronic pourer to dispense a liquid is described. In one embodiment, the electronic pourer includes an orientation determining subsystem configured to determine an orientation (angular rotation) of the electronic pourer, a wireless communication subsystem, and a processing system. The processing system can be configured to receive an angular rotation of the electronic pourer, determine whether liquid has been dispensed from a dispensing chamber of the electronic pourer, and transmit electronic pourer data to an external computing device.

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.

A liquid dispenser comprise a nozzle comprising an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet to form a flow path, a thermistor in fluid communication with the inlet, an actuator rod comprising a gasket rod tip viton, at least one centering pin to center the actuator rod in at least a portion of the flow path, a flowmeter in fluid communication with the inlet, a double acting pneumatic cylinder comprising a first pneumatic inlet and a second pneumatic inlet operatively connected to the actuator rod, and a switch lever operatively coupled to a micro switch, wherein the nozzle opens when gas enters the first pneumatic inlet when the switch lever is activated by pressing on the micro switch and closes when gas enters the second pneumatic inlet when the switch lever is deactivated. Portable and non-portable liquid dispensing systems comprising the liquid dispenser are also described.

The present invention relates generally to a static and dynamic display dispenser for in-line fluid flow, apparatus, system, and a method of using same. More particularly, the invention encompasses an inventive fluid measuring apparatus having a tap shell housing or handle, a tap head or frame, at least one display screen, a tap stem, and a tap adaptor to connect the tap shell housing or handle to a tap spigot system. The inventive fluid measuring apparatus has at least one means to measure in real-time the fluid or liquid that is being dispensed. The inventive fluid measuring apparatus has at least one means to transmit the collected data to at least one other electronic device via a wired or wireless connection. The invention also allows for the display of at least one image. The invention also provides a method of using the inventive fluid measuring apparatus.