An article has two tanks, one for storing fresh cooking oil and one for receiving used cooking oil. A new method enables a regular delivery vehicle to deliver fresh oil, and remove used oil, along with other restaurant supplies, eliminating the need for special delivery vehicles to bring and remove cooking oil.

The present invention relates to a measurement device (10) for measuring a volume of liquid contained in a vessel, comprising: —a main vessel (12) for receiving a liquid; —a reference vessel (14) which has a smaller volume than the main vessel (12), wherein the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) are fluidly connectable to each other as communicating vessels; —a pump (16) which is connected to the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) for extracting liquid from the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14); —a minimum level sensor (26) which is configured to send a reference signal if a minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; —a first valve (20, 20′) via which the reference vessel (14) is fluidly connected to the pump (16), wherein the first valve (20, 20′) is configured to be closed off if the minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; and —a control unit (30) which is connected to the minimum level sensor (26, 26′) and the pump (16) and configured to measure a reference time between an activation of the pump (16) and a receipt of the reference signal, wherein the control unit (30) is further configured to calculate, based on the reference time and a flow rate of the pump (16), a liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and/or a total liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) together.

A beverage supply apparatus includes cooling device 6, milk tank 5 in storage chamber 6a of cooling device 6, and detection device 7 that detects the milk. Detection device 7 has first light guide body 7c to penetrate partition wall 12 having a multilayer box body that partitions storage chamber 6a, second light guide body 7d to penetrate partition wall 12 which faces first light guide body 7c, light projection unit 7a attached to partition-wall outer-surface-side end of first light guide body 7c to project light via the body 7c, and light receiving unit 7b attached to the partition-wall outer-surface-side end of second light guide body 7d to receive light transmitted through milk tank 5 via second light guide body 7d. The detection device detects the presence or absence of or the remaining amount of milk based on a light reception state in the light receiving unit 7b.

A beverage supply apparatus includes cooling device 6, milk tank 5 in storage chamber 6a of cooling device 6, and detection device 7 that detects the milk. Detection device 7 has first light guide body 7c to penetrate partition wall 12 having a multilayer box body that partitions storage chamber 6a, second light guide body 7d to penetrate partition wall 12 which faces first light guide body 7c, light projection unit 7a attached to partition-wall outer-surface-side end of first light guide body 7c to project light via the body 7c, and light receiving unit 7b attached to the partition-wall outer-surface-side end of second light guide body 7d to receive light transmitted through milk tank 5 via second light guide body 7d. The detection device detects the presence or absence of or the remaining amount of milk based on a light reception state in the light receiving unit 7b.

A carbonated drink dispensing system includes a carbonation tank, a CO.sub.2 cylinder configured to deliver CO.sub.2 to the carbonation tank at a pressure of between 50 psi and 60 psi, a low-pressure pump configured to pump water into the carbonation tank, and a level sensor configured to determine when the water in the carbonation tank has reached a pre-determined level. The low-pressure pump is configured to stop pumping water when the level sensor determines that the water in the carbonation tank has reached the pre-determined level. The low-pressure pump starts pumping water again after a time delay.

A soap dispensing device having a soap replenishing notification function comprises a liquid soap container, a soap dispensing body, a soap dispenser connected with the liquid soap container and a control box. The liquid soap container is internally provided with a liquid level detection unit capable of emitting a liquid soap replenishing signal. The soap dispensing body is provided on a countertop and connected with the liquid soap container, and has a liquid soap replenishing light display area, an induction area capable of emitting an induction signal and a soap dispensing head. The control box is used for receiving the liquid soap replenishing signal and the induction signal, wherein the liquid soap replenishing light display area is formed on the soap dispensing body according to the liquid soap replenishing signal, and a liquid soap is supplied by the soap dispensing head according to the induction signal.

A soap dispensing device having a soap replenishing notification function comprises a liquid soap container, a soap dispensing body, a soap dispenser connected with the liquid soap container and a control box. The liquid soap container is internally provided with a liquid level detection unit capable of emitting a liquid soap replenishing signal. The soap dispensing body is provided on a countertop and connected with the liquid soap container, and has a liquid soap replenishing light display area, an induction area capable of emitting an induction signal and a soap dispensing head. The control box is used for receiving the liquid soap replenishing signal and the induction signal, wherein the liquid soap replenishing light display area is formed on the soap dispensing body according to the liquid soap replenishing signal, and a liquid soap is supplied by the soap dispensing head according to the induction signal.

A cold plate includes a cold plate body. A tubing system is embedded within the cold plate body. The tubing system includes a prechill circuit, a plain water postchill circuit fluidly connected to the prechill circuit, and a carbonated water postchill circuit fluidly connected to the prechill circuit.

Bottom-loading bottled water dispensers are disclosed that include hot water sanitizing capabilities (and, optionally, UV light sanitizing features). The dispensers include a water bottle that is operably connected to a pump that is configured to extract water from the bottle and force the water through one or more tubes and into a cold tank. The cold tank includes an evaporator that is configured to chill the water in the cold tank. The dispensers further include a hot tank that is fluidly coupled to the cold tank through one or more tubes, with the hot tank being attached to a heating element that is configured to heat the water in the hot tank. In addition, the dispensers include an electronic control board that is configured to heat a volume of water contained in the cold tank above a defined threshold temperature and for a defined period of time that is effective to sanitize the internal surfaces of the cold tank.

The present invention relates to a measurement device (10) for measuring a volume of liquid contained in a vessel, comprising: a main vessel (12) for receiving a liquid; a reference vessel (14) which has a smaller volume than the main vessel (12), wherein the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) are fluidly connectable to each other as communicating vessels; a pump (16) which is connected to the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) for extracting liquid from the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14); a minimum level sensor (26) which is configured to send a reference signal if a minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; a first valve (20, 20) via which the reference vessel (14) is fluidly connected to the pump (16), wherein the first valve (20, 20) is configured to be closed off if the minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; and a control unit (30) which is connected to the minimum level sensor (26, 26) and the pump (16) and configured to measure a reference time between an activation of the pump (16) and a receipt of the reference signal, wherein the control unit (30) is further configured to calculate, based on the reference time and a flow rate of the pump (16), a liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and/or a total liquid volume within the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) together. has been deleted and The present invention relates to a measurement device (10) for measuring a volume of liquid contained in a vessel, including: a main vessel (12) for receiving a liquid; a reference vessel (14) which has a smaller volume than the main vessel (12), wherein the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) are fluidly connectable to each other as communicating vessels; a pump (16) which is connected to the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14) for extracting liquid from the main vessel (12) and the reference vessel (14); a minimum level sensor (26) which is configured to send a reference signal if a minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; a first valve (20, 20) via which the reference vessel (14) is fluidly connected to the pump (16), wherein the first valve (20, 20) is configured to be closed off if the minimum liquid level within the reference vessel (14) is reached; and a control unit (30) which is connected