Abstract:
A car wash liquid containment and measurement apparatus having a reservoir defining a first interior region configured to hold a liquid therein. The apparatus has a valve with a first position and a second position and the valve is coupled to the reservoir. There is also a measurement apparatus coupled to the valve defining a second interior region and a tube disposed at least partially within the second interior region of the measurement apparatus. The valve fluidly isolates the first interior region from the second interior region when the valve is in the first position and the valve fluidly couples the first interior region with the second interior region when the valve is in the second position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/131,895, filed Mar. 12, 2015 and entitled “Car Wash Chemical Containment and Measurement Apparatus and Method,” and is a continuation in part of U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/527,435filed May 19, 2015 and entitled “Fluid Tank,” the disclosures which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a system and method for containing and measuring chemicals, and more specifically chemicals being withdrawn from a reservoir. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A typical drive-thru car wash consists of a series of hoses, cleaning elements, sprayers, and fans that may automatically execute a cleaning process on a vehicle. A drive-thru car wash can either utilize brushes or be brushless depending on the setup of the car wash. 
         [0004]    In a drive-thru car wash utilizing brushes, there is typically a plurality of different kinds of brushes that may provide physical contact with a vehicle driving therethrough. The brushes may extend radially away from a rotating axis and provide for a repetitive contact with the vehicle when it is within the range of the brushes. The car wash may also have brushes that fall from an oscillating frame. The brushes may contact the vehicle as they oscillate back and forth with the frame. Both the rotating brushes and the oscillating brushes utilize water and/or a cleaning compound sprayed onto the vehicle or applied by the brushes to aid in removing dirt and grime. 
         [0005]    In a drive-thru car wash utilizing a brushless system, high-powered jets may spray the vehicle with water, a cleaning agent, and/or soap to remove the dirt or grime. In this type of car wash, the jets are strategically placed to sufficiently spray the areas of the vehicle that are most susceptible to accumulating debris. Additionally, there may be many different jet stations. Each jet station may execute a different step in the car wash process. For example, a first jet station may rinse the entire vehicle with water, a next station may spray the vehicle with a high pressure water/cleaning agent composition, and a final station may spray the vehicle with a water/rinsing agent composition. 
         [0006]    In either the brushless system or the brush system, the drive-thru car wash may have a forced air drying system. This drying system utilizes a plurality of fans to provide high-speed air drying to the surface of the vehicle prior to leaving the drive-thru car wash. Alternatively, some drive-thru car washes apply a spot-free rinse to the vehicle as a final step. After the spot-free rinse is applied, the vehicle is intended to dry clearly without utilizing high-speed air drying. 
         [0007]    All types of drive-thru car wash processes incorporate the use of chemicals to adequately clean the vehicle. Many drive-thru car wash stations utilize many different chemicals during the car was process. For example, a different chemical composition may be used in the car wash to provide a waxing affect, a wheel cleaner, an underbody wash, a clear coat, a tire cleaner, and/or a spot-free rinse. Typically the chemicals used to provide the various car wash features are maintained in a concentrated form. When the particular chemical providing the desired feature is needed, it is drawn from a reservoir and diluted with the appropriate amount of water prior to being dispensed onto the vehicle. 
         [0008]    The cost of the car wash often depends on the lost volume of chemicals used to execute the wash and the cost of each chemical. Accurately determining the expense of a car wash process requires knowing precisely the lost volume of each chemical used for each car wash process. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    This disclosure relates to a liquid measurement and containment apparatus, including a reservoir defining a first interior region configured to hold a liquid therein. The apparatus has a valve having a first position and a second position and the valve is coupled to the reservoir. There is also a measurement apparatus coupled to the valve defining a second interior region and a tube disposed at least partially within the second interior region of the measurement apparatus. The valve fluidly isolates the first interior region from the second interior region when the valve is in the first position and the valve fluidly couples the first interior region with the second interior region when the valve is in the second position. 
         [0010]    In a different embodiment, an assembly for monitoring the volume of liquid used in a system is disclosed. The system includes a machine that uses at least one fluid, and a liquid measurement and containment apparatus. The liquid measurement and containment apparatus further includes a reservoir defining a first interior region configured to hold a liquid therein, a valve having a first position and a second position, the valve coupled to the reservoir, a measurement apparatus coupled to the valve defining a second interior region, and a tube disposed at least partially within the second interior region of the measurement apparatus. The valve fluidly isolates the first interior region from the second interior region when the valve is in the first position and the valve fluidly couples the first interior region with the second interior region when the valve is in the second position. Further, the tube fluidly couples the machine to liquid measurement and containment apparatus. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the present disclosure involves a method of determining the liquid consumption of a machine. The method involves providing a liquid measurement and containment apparatus having a reservoir defining a first interior region configured to hold a liquid therein, a valve having a first position and a second position, the valve coupled to the reservoir, a measurement apparatus coupled to the valve defining a second interior region, and a tube disposed at least partially within the second interior region of the measurement apparatus. The valve fluidly isolates the first interior region from the second interior region when the valve is in the first position and fluidly couples the first interior region with the second interior region when the valve is in the second position. The method further involves providing a machine that uses at least one liquid during a machine operation, fluidly coupling the machine to the measurement apparatus with the tube, filling the reservoir with a volume of a liquid, transitioning the valve to the second position to allow the liquid to enter the measurement apparatus, transitioning the valve to the first position after at least some of the liquid has entered the measurement apparatus, recording a first liquid height in the measurement apparatus, operating the machine for a period of time, recording a second liquid height of the measurement apparatus, and comparing the first liquid height to the second liquid height to determine the amount of liquid used by the machine during a machine operation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner of obtaining them is more apparent and the disclosure itself is better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1 a    is one embodiment of a system incorporating a liquid containment and measurement apparatus; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1 b    is an elevated perspective view of the liquid containment and measurement apparatus with a liquid container thereon; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a front side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 b    without the container; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1   b;    
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a right side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a back side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an elevated perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 b    with a third plurality of markings; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a top side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  showing a fill feature; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing a method of controlling a valve; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing another embodiment of a method of using the liquid containment and measurement apparatus in a system. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Corresponding reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure. 
         [0025]    A liquid mixture and distribution system  140  is shown in  FIG. 1 a   . The system may have a base water source  142  that can selectively provide pressurized water to a nozzle  144  through a main line  146 . Between the water source  142  and the nozzle  144 , a tube  124  may be fluidly coupled to the main line  146  on one end and to a measurement and containment apparatus  100  on the other end. The measurement and containment apparatus  100  may contain a liquid therein. The tube  124  may selectively introduce the liquid into the main line  146  to route the liquid with the water from the water source  142  prior to being dispersed from the nozzle  144 . In one embodiment, a pump (not shown) may be fluidly coupled to the tube  124  to provide sufficient pressure to selectively introduce the liquid into the main line  146 . 
         [0026]    The measurement and containment apparatus  100  can be used in many other applications other than the liquid distribution system  140  shown in  FIG. 1 a   . More specifically, the measurement and containment apparatus  100  may introduce a fluid into a large reservoir instead of a pressurized main line  146  as described above. The measurement and containment apparatus  100  of this disclosure is not limited to the liquid distribution system  140  as described above. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the liquid in the measurement and containment apparatus  100  is a concentrated liquid that is mixed with a second liquid prior to being dispersed. For example, the liquid could be a concentrated detergent, rinse aid, presoak liquid, tire cleaner, surfactant, wax or the like that should be mixed with the second liquid (in many cases water) prior to being dispersed through the nozzle  144 . While embodiments incorporating a liquid for cleaning have been disclosed herein, this disclosure should not be limited to such embodiments. The teachings of this disclosure are equally applicable to any liquid that is consumed or otherwise used in a system. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 b   , an elevated perspective view of the measurement and containment apparatus  100  is shown. The measurement and containment apparatus  100  may have a reservoir  102  that may receive a volume of liquid. The reservoir  102  may be rectangular in cross-section and include a front side  104 , a left side  106 , a right side  108 , a back side  110 , a top side  112 , and a bottom side  114 . The plurality of sides  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ,  112 ,  114  may be coupled to one another to define an inner volume (not shown) of the reservoir  102 . 
         [0029]    The left and right side  106 ,  108  may have at least one indentation  116  defined therein. The indentation  116  may be implemented in a portion of both the left and right side  106 ,  108 . Further, the indentation  116  may be defined by an indentation plane slightly offset from, but parallel to, a side plane created by the surface of either the left or right side  106 ,  108 . The indentation  116  may have at least one wall  118  extending from the indention plane to the side plane. In different embodiments, the indentation  116  provides for added structural integrity of the left and right side  106 ,  108 . 
         [0030]    While specific indentations have been described in detail, the left and right side  106 ,  108  may also have other similar known elements incorporated therein to increase the structural integrity of the sides. For example, instead of indentations  116 , V-shaped channels may be incorporated into the left and right side  106 ,  108 . Accordingly, this disclosure is not limited to any particular configuration. Further, the above teachings for the left and right side  106 ,  108  are equally appropriate for the front and back sides  104 ,  110 . 
         [0031]    The reservoir  102  may be composed of a plurality of different materials. In one embodiment, the reservoir  102  may be a plastic composition of sufficient thickness to allow the reservoir  102  to retain a liquid without substantial deformation. In another embodiment, various metal compositions such as steel, aluminum, or the like may be used. In yet another embodiment, the material may be substantially translucent to allow the liquid level to be identified from the exterior of the reservoir. Other materials may also be used for the reservoir  102 . Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to any particular material composition. 
         [0032]    The measurement and containment apparatus  100  may also include a measurement apparatus  120  selectively fluidly coupled thereto. The measurement apparatus  120  may be a partially clear and substantially cylindrical member  121  extending from a location proximate to the bottom side  114  to a location proximate to the top side  112 . Further, the cylindrical member  121  may define a volume substantially smaller than the volume defined by the reservoir  102 . In one embodiment, the measurement apparatus  120  includes a first plurality of markings  132  and a second plurality of markings  134  located thereon. The first plurality of markings  132  may be used to indicate the volume of liquid located within the measurement apparatus  120 . The second plurality of markings  134  may be used to indicate the volume of a liquid located within the reservoir  102  when the measurement apparatus  120  is fluidly coupled thereto. The first and second plurality of markings  132 ,  134  may utilize a visible liquid level  130  to correlate liquid height to the volume of liquid disposed therein. 
         [0033]    A valve  122  may be mechanically coupled between the measurement apparatus  120  and the reservoir  102 . The valve  122  may be selectively switched between a first position and a second position (not shown). In the first position, the valve  122  may fluidly isolate the contents of the measurement apparatus  120  from the contents of the reservoir  102 . In the second position, the valve  122  may fluidly couple the measurement apparatus  120  to the reservoir  102 . When the valve  122  is in the second position, the second plurality of markings  134  may be used to indicate the volume of liquid located in the reservoir  102 . Alternatively, when the valve  122  is in the first position, the first plurality of markings  132  may be used to indicate the volume of liquid located in the measurement apparatus  120 . 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, the first and second plurality of markings  132 ,  134  are located on the cylindrical member  121  of the measurement apparatus  120 . At this location, the second plurality of markings  134  identify the volume of liquid in the measurement apparatus  120 , but the first plurality of markings  132  identifies the amount of liquid in the reservoir  102  when the valve  122  is in the second position. In a different embodiment, the first plurality of markings  132  are on the reservoir  102  while the second plurality of markings  134  are on the measurement apparatus  120 . In this configuration the first and second plurality of markings  132 ,  134  identifies the volume of liquid in the reservoir  102  and the measurement apparatus  120  regardless of the valve  122  position. 
         [0035]    In a different embodiment, the valve  122  is electronically controlled by a controller (not shown). In this embodiment, the valve  122  transitions from the first position to the second position electronically. Additionally, in yet another embodiment, the measurement apparatus  120  includes an electronic sensor (not shown) coupled thereto. The electronic sensor transmits a signal to the controller indicative of the volume of both the reservoir  102  and the measurement apparatus  120  instead of, or in addition to, using the first and second plurality of markings  132 ,  134 . 
         [0036]    In this embodiment, the user programs a processor of the controller to take electronic measurements at different intervals and with the valve  122  in different positions. The controller then displays to the user information regarding the volume of liquid removed from the reservoir  102  and/or the volume of liquid removed from the measurement apparatus  120  after a machine (not shown) using a liquid is operated for at least one cycle. 
         [0037]    The cylindrical member  121  of the measurement apparatus  120  may also be sufficiently sized to allow the tube  124  to become disposed therein. The tube  124  may enter the measurement apparatus  120  at a location proximate to the top side  112 . The tube  124  may also extend sufficiently into the measurement apparatus  120  to allow an intake end  126  to provide for a liquid intake location close to the valve  122 . The tube  124  may further be coupled to the machine that removes liquid from the measurement apparatus  120 . When the valve  122  is in the first position, the tube  124  may remove liquid from the measurement apparatus  120  without affecting the liquid in the reservoir  102 . When the valve  122  is in the second position, the tube  124  may effectively remove liquid from the reservoir  102  because the measurement apparatus  120  is fluidly coupled to the reservoir  102 . 
         [0038]    The ability of the measurement and containment apparatus  100  to provide two separate liquid level readings allows for increased accuracy in determining the amount of liquid used by the machine in a given time period of operation. For example, if the valve  122  is in the second position, the volume of liquid removed from the reservoir  102  may be determined by comparing the liquid height with the second plurality of markings  134  prior to liquid removal with the liquid height post liquid removal. In this embodiment, the second plurality of markings  134  is utilized to measure substantially large changes in the amount of liquid removed by the tube  124 . 
         [0039]    In a similar embodiment, the user switches the valve  122  to the first position, and allows the tube  124  to withdraw liquid only from the isolated measurement apparatus  120 . The user observes the liquid level shown on the first plurality of markings  132  both before and after the liquid is withdrawn from the isolated measurement apparatus  120 . The user may then calculate the difference between the first liquid level and the second liquid level to determine the overall volume of liquid removed by the tube  124 . 
         [0040]    Isolating the liquid in the measurement apparatus  120  prior to removing any liquid provides for a more accurate determination of the liquid height values than allowing the measurement apparatus  120  to be fluidly coupled to the reservoir  102 . In one nonlimiting example, the reservoir  102  may contain 9.5 liters. The tube  124  may withdraw 3.6 milliliters (mL) of liquid from the reservoir  102  when the valve  122  is in the second position. The 3.6 mL removed from the 9.5 liters contained in the reservoir  102  may show only a 0.1 millimeter (mm) drop in the liquid height of the reservoir  102 . The 0.1 mm drop in liquid height may be substantially indiscernible. Accordingly, the liquid level  130  shown by the measurement apparatus  120  may have changed minimally. In this embodiment, the second plurality of markings  134  is configured to determine larger changes in volume. To provide a more noticeable change in liquid level  130  when only a small volume of liquid is being removed, the valve  122  should be transitioned to the first position so the measurement apparatus  120  indicates a more noticeable change of the overall volume of liquid removed by the tube  124  as explained in more detail below. 
         [0041]    In a similar embodiment, however, the 9.5 liters may be inserted into the reservoir  102  while the valve  122  is in the second position. The reservoir  102  may fill the measurement apparatus  120  until it reaches a state of equilibrium and the reservoir  102  and the measurement apparatus  120  both show the same liquid level  130 . The valve  122  may then be transitioned to the first position, fluidly isolating the liquid in the measurement apparatus  120 . In one nonexclusive embodiment, the measurement apparatus  120  may contain about 400 mL when the measurement and containment apparatus  100  has been filled with 9.5 liters. The tube  124  may similarly remove 3.6 mL from the isolated measurement apparatus  120 . Accordingly, a 4 mm drop in the liquid contained in the measurement apparatus  120  may have occurred. In this scenario, the 4 mm drop in liquid provides a noticeable change in the liquid level  130  shown by the first plurality of markings  132 , yielding a more accurate determination of the overall change in volume after the machine has been in operation for a given amount of time. In the nonexclusive example above, the first plurality of markings  132  may be spaced 1 mm apart from one another with each 1 mm drop in liquid height indicating a 0.9 mL loss of liquid volume. 
         [0042]    In different embodiments, the exact dimensions of the reservoir and the measurement apparatus affect the liquid level  130  change per volume loss. For example, a very tall, but very thin cylinder may contain the same volume of liquid as a very short but very wide cylinder. However, a relatively small change in volume in the tall cylinder may create a noticeable change in liquid level  130  while the same change in volume for the short cylinder may be substantially unnoticeable. Accordingly, the teachings of this disclosure are not limited to any particular dimensions. Consequently, the present disclosure includes different combinations of volumes and reservoir dimensions. 
         [0043]    Another aspect of the present disclosure is the ability of the reservoir  102  to receive a disposable container  128  along the top side  112 . The container  128  may be a typical size and shape as is known in the art for supplying a liquid chemical for a particular application. The container  128  may contain the liquid that is to become disposed within the reservoir  102 . 
         [0044]    Now referring to  FIG. 2 , a front side view  200  of the measurement and containment apparatus  100  is shown. The front side view  200  more clearly shows the measurement apparatus&#39;s  120  size relative to the reservoir  102 . More particularly, the measurement apparatus  120  may extend from the top side  112  to the valve  122 . Further, the measurement apparatus  120  may be only a fraction of a width  202  of the front side  104 . The measurement apparatus  120  may be sized so that it may define a volume sufficient to contain at least as much liquid as may be needed for the machine utilizing the liquid to perform one cycle. Further, the measurement apparatus  120  may be sized so that it defines a volume that is small enough to provide for noticeable change in liquid level  130  for every wash cycle when the valve  122  is in the first position. 
         [0045]    A left side view  300  of the measurement and containment apparatus  100  is shown in  FIG. 3 . In the left side view  300 , the container  128  is shown in an angularly offset disposition. More specifically, the container  128  may be offset by an angle (r) relative to the top side  112 . The angular offset Θ of the container  128  may be sufficient to allow the liquid contents of the container  128  to sufficiently flow to a spout (not shown) of the container  128 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a right side view  400  is shown. The right side view  400  more clearly shows a liquid coupling location  402  of the valve  122  to the reservoir  102 . In one embodiment, the liquid coupling location  402  is substantially adjacent to the bottom side  114 . By locating the liquid coupling location  402  proximate to the bottom side  114 , the liquid disposed in the reservoir  102  enters the measurement apparatus  120  until the reservoir  102  is substantially empty. 
         [0047]    A back side view  500  of the measurement and containment apparatus  100  is shown in  FIG. 5 . More specifically, the back side view  500  shows a door  502  that substantially covers an opening (not shown). The door  502  may be coupled to the back side  110  through a plurality of fasteners. In one nonexclusive embodiment, the plurality of fasteners may be screws. In a different embodiment, the fasteners may be clips, adhesives, tape, or any other coupling method known in the art. When the reservoir  102  has been emptied of all liquid contents, or when the liquid contents need changed, the door  502  may be removed to provide easy access to a user for cleaning the internal portion of the reservoir  102 . 
         [0048]    Referring now to  FIG. 6 , one embodiment of an assembly  600  is shown. More particularly, the assembly  600  illustrates a change  602  in the liquid height of the measurement apparatus  120  compared to a reservoir liquid height  604 . The change  602  in the liquid height of the measurement apparatus  120  is a result of the valve  122  being in the first position and the liquid being withdrawn from the measurement apparatus  120  through the tube  124  during a wash cycle. The reservoir liquid level  604  of the reservoir  102  is also shown in  FIG. 6 . When liquid is withdrawn from the measurement apparatus  120  while the valve  122  is in the first position, the liquid level  130  of the measurement apparatus  120  may be different than the reservoir liquid level  604 . When the valve  122  is returned to the second position, the reservoir liquid level  604  and the liquid level  130  of the measurement apparatus  120  may equalize to the same level. 
         [0049]    A third plurality of markings  606  is also shown in  FIG. 6 . The third plurality of markings  606  may be coupled to the reservoir  102  to help the user determine the volume of liquid in the reservoir  102 , the measurements apparatus  120 , or both. The third plurality of markings  606  may be supplemental to the first and second plurality of markings  132 ,  134 . Alternatively, the third plurality of markings  606  may be utilized instead of the first and second plurality of markings  132 ,  134 . In different embodiments, the markings are placed in many locations on the measurement and containment apparatus  100  and this disclosure is not limited to any particular location. 
         [0050]    A first configuration  700  of one embodiment is shown in  FIG. 7 . In the first configuration  700 , the top side  112  is illustrated separated from the disposable container  128 . Further, a cavity  702  is shown for receiving the container  128 . The cavity  702  may have an orifice  704  designed to receive the spout of the container  128 . Additionally, the cavity  702  may define a recess  706  designed to accommodate the various handling features of the container  128 . 
         [0051]    The orifice  704  may also have a piercing element (not shown) disposed therearound. The piercing element may have a diameter small enough to fit within the spout of the container  128  but large enough to substantially allow a liquid to flow therethrough. 
         [0052]    The cavity  702  may be correspondingly sized to receive the container  128 . Further, the cavity  702  may be designed to receive the container  128  at the angle Θ as shown in  FIG. 3 . Once the container  128  is placed within the cavity  702 , the container  128  may be substantially stabilized by the cavity  702  to keep the container  128  from moving within the cavity  702 . Further, the angel Θ may be such that it causes a majority of the liquid in the container  128  to travel through the spout and into the reservoir  102 . 
         [0053]    While a cavity  702  is described herein for receiving and stabilizing the container  128 , the skilled artisan understands that the cavity  702  may also be any type of aperture that allows a liquid to be transitioned into the reservoir  102 . That is to say, the cavity  702  may be a through hole sufficiently sized to allow a liquid to be poured into the reservoir. The liquid contents of the container  128  may be poured through the through hole and the container  128  may be discarded instead of remaining in the cavity. 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , one nonexclusive method  800  for measuring the liquid used during at least one wash cycle is shown. More specifically, when the reservoir  102  and the measurement apparatus  120  are filled with a liquid and before the valve  122  is transitioned to the first position, the liquid level may be recorded in block  802 . In block  804 , the valve  122  may be transitioned to the first position and liquid may be drawn through the tube  124 . Next, the drop in the liquid may be measured in block  806 . Finally, in block  808 , the valve  122  may be transitioned to back to the second position after the measurement has been obtained to allow the liquid level of the measurement apparatus  120  to equalize with the liquid level of the reservoir  102 . 
         [0055]    A cleaning method may also be initiated by uncoupling the door  502  from the reservoir  102 . The user may rinse the internal portion of the measurement and containment apparatus  100  through the exposed opening of the uncoupled door  502 . Finally, the user may replace the door  502  and couple it to the reservoir  102 . 
         [0056]    An apparatus use flowchart  900  is shown in  FIG. 9 . In one nonexclusive embodiment, a user may position the measurement and containment apparatus  100  at a desired location in block  902 . In block  904 , the user may insert the tube  124  into the measuring apparatus  120  and further couple the tube  124  to the machine that is withdrawing the liquid in block  906 . The user may then remove a cap from the container  128  that contains a liquid chemical required by the machine in block  908 . In block  910 , the user may then position the container  128  within the cavity  702  such that the piercing element pierces a seal on the spout of the container  128  and the liquid contents of the container  128  flow into the reservoir  102 . 
         [0057]    The user may then orient the valve  122  in the second position to allow the measurement apparatus  120  to fill with the liquid to the same liquid level  130  as the reservoir  102  in block  912 . At this point, the system may operate by using the tube  124  to withdraw liquid from the measurement and containment apparatus  100  as shown in block  914 . In block  916 , as liquid is withdrawn from the measurement apparatus  120 , it may be substantially simultaneously refilled from the reservoir  102  through the valve  122 . 
         [0058]    Alternatively, if the user wants to monitor the amount of liquid withdrawn from the measurement and containment apparatus  100 , the user may change the valve  122  to the first position after the reservoir liquid level  604  has become substantially the same as the liquid level  130  of the measurement apparatus  120 . In block  918 , as the tube  124  removes liquid from the measurement apparatus  120 , the measurement apparatus is not refilled by liquid from the reservoir  102 . Accordingly, the user may record a first level indicated by the first plurality of markings  132  before the machine executes one or more cycle. After the machine has executed the one or more wash cycle, the user may record a second level indicated by the first plurality of markings  132 . The user may then compare the first level indicated by the first plurality of markings  132  with the second level indicated by the first plurality of markings  132  to determine the overall volume of liquid withdrawn during the machine cycle. 
         [0059]    The user may use the overall volume withdrawn during a cycle to calculate the cost of each cycle by determining the amount of liquid used in each cycle. In one nonlimiting example, the amount of liquid withdrawn for each cycle may be correlated to a percentage of the overall liquid supplied by the container  128 . Further, the cost of the filled container  128  may be correlated to the percentage of the contents used per cycle. Accordingly, the cost per cycle may be determined by the user. 
         [0060]    The present disclosure is not limited to a car wash. Further, the term “car wash” is not limited in the application to the above teachings for a “car”. The wash systems described herein apply to any type of automated or non-automated wash system and are not limited. In addition, in other embodiments the measurement and containment apparatus  100  is coupled to a hand-held unit to be used by an individual. For example, trucks, planes, sports utility vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, mobile homes and other objects may utilize a wash system incorporating the teachings of this disclosure. 
         [0061]    The embodiments are utilized in a plurality of different types of car wash systems and this disclosure is not limited to any particular one. In one example, a drive-thru car wash system where the vehicle is driven or pushed through the car wash implements the teachings of this disclosure. Further, a stationary automatic car wash, where equipment revolves around a stationary vehicle, incorporates one or more of the teachings of this disclosure. Alternatively, a self-service or do it yourself style car wash may use the teachings of this disclosure. The present disclosure is applicable to any type of car wash system. 
         [0062]    Alternatively, the above teachings may be implemented in other applications outside of car wash systems. In one non-limiting example, the teachings of this disclosure are applied to measure the amount of syrup flavoring used in a carbonated soda dispenser. Further still, the above teachings may be applied in a chemistry lab to determine more precisely the amount of a certain chemical added to a mixture. The teachings may be used to more accurately determine the volume of liquid withdrawn from a reservoir of any size. Accordingly, this disclosure is not limited to a specific application. 
         [0063]    While embodiments incorporating the principles of the present disclosure have been disclosed hereinabove, the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claim.