Patent Publication Number: US-2013231875-A1

Title: Apparatus, systems and methods for monitoring fluid flow in beverage dispensing systems

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/231,301 entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING FLUID FLOW IN BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEMS” filed Aug. 4, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/334,399 entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING FLUID FLOW IN BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEMS” filed May 13, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The embodiments disclosed herein relate to monitoring fluid flow and in particular to invasive and non-invasive apparatus, systems and methods for monitoring of liquid flow in one or more conduits in beverage dispensing systems. 
     INTRODUCTION 
     Beverage dispensing systems may be used to dispense a wide variety of finished and mixed food products, including coffee, tea, hot chocolate, carbonated beverages (e.g. soft drinks or soda pop), juices, soup, beer, and so on. Often the beverages include a mixture of one or more gases and liquids, and in some cases solids. 
     In some embodiments, the beverages may be provided to the system in a finished or “premixed” liquid state. In other embodiments, the beverages may be formed by mixing two or more components together within the beverage system (with at least one of the components being a liquid). 
     For example, a fountain drink dispensing system for dispensing soft drinks, iced tea, and the like may include a mixing and dispensing apparatus configured to receive one or more flavored sweetened syrups (which may be supplied as a “bag-in-a-box”), carbon dioxide gas (which may be supplied in compressed gas tanks), and water (which may be supplied though a water supply line). These fluids may be fed to the mixing and dispensing apparatus through one or more flexible conduits or hoses. The dispensing apparatus then mixes the received fluids according to particular specifications, and dispenses the desired beverage, for example by using a nozzle or a soda gun. 
     Such beverage dispensing systems tend to provide advantages over other delivery methods (e.g. supplying fully carbonated beverages in bottles or cans), including lower transportation costs (particularly where water and other components are mixed with syrup at the point of sale), increased convenience (as fluid supply reservoirs normally may contain much more product than a single bottle or can), and increased freshness. 
     However, it is often difficult to accurately determine the quantities of beverages being dispensed in these systems. This can be undesirable, for example, when trying to determine whether a proper amount of beverage was dispensed for a particular order (e.g. to combat theft, leaks or spillage), or when tracking inventory to determine when to order additional supplies. 
     Accordingly, the inventors have discovered a need for improved apparatus, systems and methods for monitoring fluid flow in beverage dispensing systems. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of systems, methods and apparatus of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a non-invasive apparatus for monitoring fluid flow according to one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional front view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a system for monitoring fluid flow in a beverage system according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional front view of a non-invasive apparatus for monitoring fluid flow according to yet another embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an invasive apparatus for monitoring liquid flow in a conduit according to yet another embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is another perspective view of the apparatus of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram of a system for monitoring fluid flow in a beverage system according to yet another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Generally, various apparatus, systems and methods for monitoring fluid flow in a beverage dispensing system are described herein. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus are non-invasive (e.g. external) and are configured so as not to come into direct contact with the various liquids (e.g. water) and gases (e.g. carbon dioxide) in a beverage dispensing system. For example, a mechanical actuator or sensor may be configured to contact the walls of a flexible fluid conduit, and in response to deflection of the walls determine when a liquid is flowing in the conduit. Examples of non-invasive apparatus are shown generally in  FIGS. 1 to 3  and  5 . 
     In other embodiments, the apparatus may be invasive (e.g. internal), in that the apparatus is configured to come into direct contact with one or more liquids (e.g. water) or gases (e.g. carbon dioxide) in a beverage dispensing system. For example, the apparatus could include mechanical actuator provided “in-line” with a fluid conduit and configured to move in response to contact with a liquid flowing through the apparatus to determine when the fluid is flowing in the conduit. An example of an invasive apparatus is shown generally in  FIGS. 6 to 8 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , illustrated therein is an apparatus  10  for monitoring fluid flow in a beverage dispensing system according to one non-invasive (e.g. external) embodiment. As shown, the non-invasive apparatus  10  may include a housing  12  sized and shaped to receive at least one fluid conduit  14  therein, wherein the at least one fluid conduit  14  has flexible walls. 
     The housing  12  may be provided in at least two separate pieces that can be coupled together, which may allow the housing  12  to be easily installed onto the conduits  14  (e.g. without disconnecting the conduits  14  from the mixing and dispensing apparatus or the fluid supply reservoir). 
     The housing  12  as shown includes an upper housing portion  16  and at least one lower housing portion  18 . Accordingly, this monitoring apparatus  10  may be retrofitted to existing beverage dispensing systems without changing existing components of the system, cutting the conduits  14  or taking the beverage dispensing system offline. 
     When coupled together, the upper housing portion  16  and lower housing portions  18  cooperate so as to define at least one passageway  20  therebetween, each passageway  20  being sized and shaped so as to receive one of the conduits  14 . In particular, the upper housing portion  16  includes at least one upper surface  22 , while each lower housing portion  18  includes a lower surface  24 . 
     The upper and lower surfaces  22 ,  24  are generally sized and shaped so as to securely engage with the conduits  14  to affix the housing  12  to the conduits  14 . For example, the upper surface  22  and lower surface  24  may be sized and shaped so that each passageway  20  has a substantially circular cross section having a passageway diameter Dp. In some cases, the passageway diameter Dp may be selected so as to generally correspond to the outer conduit diameter Dc of the conduit  14 . For example, the passageway diameter Dp may be selected so as to be substantially the same as, slightly larger than, or slightly smaller than, the conduit diameter Dc for the conduit  14 . 
     In some embodiments, the conduit diameter Dc may be between 0.5 cm and 2.5 cm. In other embodiments, the conduit diameter Dc may be larger or smaller. 
     In some embodiments, since the walls of the conduits  14  are flexible, the passageway diameter Dp and the conduit diameter Dc need not substantially correspond but may have differing cross-sections, generally so long as the housing  12  may be securely affixed to the conduits  14 . 
     In some embodiments, the upper and lower surfaces  22 ,  24  may be sized and shaped such that each passageway  20  is generally cylindrical and has a passageway length L, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The passageway length L may be selected so engage a suitable length of each conduit  14  so as to secure the conduits  14  within the housing  12 . 
     The length L may be generally proportional to the conduit diameter Dc and may be chosen so as to isolate a measurement region within the passageway  20  from external influences such as deflection (or flexion) of the conduits  14  or vibrations during use. In some embodiments the passageway length L may be between 2 cm and 10 cm. 
     Each apparatus  12  has at least one sensor  26 , each of which may be provided in one of the passageways  20 . Each sensor  26  may have at least one sensor element coupled thereto. Each sensor element may be a discrete device that provides an electrical signal based on a change due to a mechanical action resulting from a force, position, or deflection of a particular conduit  14  (e.g. due to a chance in conditions within that conduit  14 , such as a pressure change). 
     Each sensor  26  may include a mechanical actuator to convey, convert, or amplify a given mechanical property (e.g. deflection of a wall of the conduit  14 ) in order to convert that mechanical property into an electrical signal. 
     In some examples, each sensor  26  may include elements to protect the sensor element (e.g. from contamination due to liquids etc.). 
     In some embodiments, the sensor  26  may be a direct strain gauge or force sensor. In other embodiments, the sensor  26  may include a plunger or other mechanical actuator placed in contact with the conduit  14  in such a manner as to conduct the forces to a strain gauge or force sensor, as will be described below with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
     Each sensor  26  is positioned to detect deflection of one of the walls of the flexible fluid conduits  14  when conditions in that flexible fluid conduit  14  are altered due to fluid flowing therethrough. For example, each sensor  26  may detect the deflection of one of the walls of the flexible fluid conduit  14  to determine when a valve (e.g. a snap-action valve) that is coupled to that particular conduit  14  is active (e.g. by detecting when the pressure in the conduit  14  changes, indicating whether the valve is ON or OFF). 
     Since the valves may operate with known fluid flow conditions (e.g. the flow rate when the valve is open may be known), by monitoring when the valve is active (e.g. ON or OFF), the flow rate of fluid within that conduit  14  can be determined. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , in some embodiments the sensors  26  may be provided in the upper surface  22  of the upper housing portion  16 , generally between the inlet end  20   a  and the outlet end  20   b  of each passageway  20 . In some embodiments, one or more sensors  26  may be provided in the lower surface  24  of the lower housing portions  18 . 
     Each sensor  26  may be configured so as to engage with or contact the outer surface  15  of the conduit  14  received in the passageway  20  when the housing portions  16 ,  18  are coupled together. By engaging the outer surface  15 , the sensor  26  can detect a mechanical property (e.g. the deflection of the walls of the conduit  14 ) when the conditions within that conduit  14  are altered. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , incoming fluid F  n  may pass through the housing  12 , entering via the inlet end  14   a  of the conduit  14 . As the fluid flows through the orifice  17  in the conduit  14  (e.g. when a valve connected to that conduit  14  is open), the walls of the conduit  14  will tend to deflect, and the sensor  26  can measure this deflection at the outer surface  15 . The outgoing fluid F out  then exits the housing  12  through the outlet end  14   b  of the conduit  14 . 
     Conversely, when there is no fluid flow through the orifice  17  in the conduit  14  (e.g. when the valve is closed) the walls of the conduit  14  may experience little or no deflection. 
     The deflection of the outer surface  15  of the conduit  14  measured by the sensor  26  can be used to calculate the flow rate of the fluid passing through that conduit  14 . 
     In some embodiments, each sensor  26  may be coupled to a sensor lead  27  for sending deflection data about the conduit  14  to a data processing unit, as will be described below. 
     Generally, the housing  12  may secure the conduits  14  (e.g. between the portions  16 ,  18 ) together in any suitable manner so that each sensor  26  is suitably positioned for monitoring the deflection of the outer surface  15  of each conduit  14 . 
     As shown, in some embodiments the upper housing portion  16  may include one or more slots  28 , and each lower housing portion  18  may include one or more fingers  30 , each finger  30  having a tab  32  configured to engage one of the slots  28 . The slots  28  and tabs  32  may cooperate so that sufficient clamping force can be provided between the housing portions  16 ,  18  to secure the conduits  14  within the housing  12  and to bias the sensors  26  against the outer surface  15  of each conduit  14 . 
     As shown, in some embodiments, three slots  28   a ,  28   b , and  28   c  may be vertically stacked such that the fingers  30  and tabs  32  may engage with different slots  28   a ,  28   b ,  28   c  depending on the size of the conduits  14 . Accordingly, conduits  14  of different sizes may be used with the same monitoring apparatus  10 . 
     In other embodiments, the upper and lower housing portions  16 ,  18  may be constructed as continuous members (e.g. integral members) that can be opened and closed instead of two physically separated portions. For example, the upper and lower housing portions  16 ,  18  may be integrally formed and coupled together along a flexible edge or pivot point (e.g. a living hinge) so that they can be flexed or otherwise opened to receive the conduits  14  therebetween. In such embodiments, the resiliency of the upper and lower housing portions  16 ,  18  and/or a spring mechanism may be used to bias the upper and lower housing portions  16 ,  18  together to apply a desired pressure against the conduits  14  to effect the operation of the sensors  26 . In some embodiments, the rotation at the hinge may be used to measure the deflection of the conduits  14 . 
     In some embodiments, the housing  12  may include mounting flanges for securely mounting the housing  12  (e.g. to a wall, a portion of a beverage dispensing system, etc.). For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the upper housing portion  16  may include opposing end flanges  34 ,  36  that extend upwardly from the upper housing portion  16 , generally away from the lower housing portions  18 . The end flanges  34 ,  36  may include mounting slots  38  for engaging with one or more mounting members (not shown) and/or for securing a data processing module (not shown) to the housing  12 . 
     In some embodiments, each conduit  14  may be a flexible plastic hose, and each sensor  26  may be a strain gauge or force sensor configured to measure mechanical properties, such as the deflection of the flexible plastic hose. In combination with some knowledge of the properties of the particular beverage dispensing system being monitored, this may yield a reasonably accurate indication of the volume of beverage being dispensed through each conduit  14 . 
     Generally, any sensor which allows the conversion of a mechanical force into an electronic signal can be used. For example, with a suitable mechanical conversion of linear forces into rotary forces, rotary-type sensors type could be used. 
     In a particular beverage dispensing system, the pressure and density of the liquid beverage may be known (e.g. the pressure and density may be generally constant or may be measured), the size of the orifice  17  through which the beverage is dispensed is generally known (e.g. is normally constant), and other properties (e.g. the material properties of the conduit  14 , etc.) may be known and/or determined as required. Thus, the flow rate through particular conduits  14  may be calculated using the apparatus  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the apparatus  10  may include a plurality of lower housing portions  18  that are each separate. However, in other embodiments, two or more lower housing portions  18  may be provided together as an assembly. For example, six lower housing portions  18  could be integrally formed and coupled to an upper housing portion  16  to define six passageways  20  therebetween. 
     In yet other embodiments, the housing  12  may not be provided as two separate pieces, but could instead be a single piece of material (e.g. a block of plastic) through which one or more conduits  14  may be fed. 
     In other embodiments, the housing  12  may be provided adjacent one or more of the conduits  14 , and may not include passageways  20 . Rather, in such embodiments the housing  12  may be simply configured to contact one or more sensors  26  against the one or more conduits  14  so that the deflection of the conduits  14  can be detected (when the conditions therein change, for example due to a pressure change). 
     In some embodiments, the housing portions  16 ,  18  may include one or more structural ribs  19  that may reinforce the housing  12  so as to resist deflection of the housing  12  during use. This may provide for more accurate readings, as the ribs  19  will tend to ensure that the deflections measured by the sensors  26  reflect the deflection of the conduits  14 , and not the deflection of the housing  12  during use. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus  10  may be provided with two or more passageways  20  to receive two or more conduits  14  therein for monitoring. Each passageway  20  may be provided in a linear array (as generally shown) or in any other suitable configuration. In other embodiments, the apparatus  10  may be provided with six passageways  20  so that six conduits  14  may be received therein for monitoring. 
     The upper housing portion  16  and lower housing portions  18  may be made of any suitable material, such as thermoplastics, thermosets, metals, ceramics, composites, and so on. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 5 , illustrated therein is an apparatus  40  for monitoring fluid flow in a beverage dispensing system according to another non-invasive embodiment. As shown, the non-invasive apparatus  40  generally includes a housing  42  sized and shaped to receive at least one flexible fluid conduit therein (e.g. conduit  14  as described above). The housing  42  includes an upper housing portion  46  and a lower housing portion  48  configured to be coupled together so as to define at least one passageway  50  therein. 
     Provided within each passageway  50  is a sensor  52 . In this embodiment, the sensor  52  includes a mechanical actuator  54  (e.g. a small plunger) coupled to a sensor element  56 . During use, the mechanical actuator  54  will transmit the mechanical movement of the conduit in the passageway  50  (e.g. flexion of the walls of the conduit) to the sensor element  56 , and the sensor element  56  can convert the resulting forces into electrical signals. 
     In this manner, the sensor element  56  may be provided at a distance from the conduit. This tends to facilitate protecting the electronics, for example from physical damage as a result of impact or wear and also from fluid ingress. In particular, in some embodiments the mechanical actuator  54  can be sealed using an  0 -ring or other sealing techniques so as to inhibit fluids from contacting the mechanical actuator  54  and/or the sensor element  56 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8 , illustrated therein is a monitoring apparatus  210  or “flow switch” for monitoring liquid flow in a fluid conduit according to yet another embodiment. In this embodiment, the flow switch  210  is invasive in that the flow switch is designed to come into direct contact with a liquid in a beverage dispensing system. 
     As shown, the flow switch  210  may include a first body portion  212 , an inlet end  214  and an outlet end  216 . During use, the flow switch  210  is placed “in-line” with a fluid conduit so as to monitor fluid flow therethrough. For example, a fluid conduit may be cut, and the cut ends of the conduit coupled to the inlet end  214  and outlet end  216  so as to allow liquid to flow through the flow switch  210 . 
     As the liquid enters the flow switch  210 , it encounters a mechanical actuator, such as a plunger  218 . The plunger  218  is normally biased towards the inlet end  214  (e.g. by using a compression spring  220 ) and may at least partially seal the flow switch  210 , thus inhibiting fluid flow through the flow switch  210 . 
     The pressure of the liquid entering the flow switch  210  acts against the plunger  218 , and when the pressure exceeds a threshold value it tends to move the plunger  218  towards the outlet end  216 , compressing the compression spring  220 . This creates a fluid passageway around the plunger  218  that allows the liquid to flow past the plunger  218  and out through the outlet end  216 . 
     In some embodiments, the compression spring  220  may be a light spring so that only a small amount of fluid pressure will be required before the plunger  218  will move. 
     The flow switch  210  is generally configured such that movement of the plunger  218  can be monitored and used to determine whether liquid is flowing through the conduit (e.g. an “ON” condition), or whether there is no liquid flowing through the conduit (e.g. an “OFF” condition). 
     As shown, in some embodiments a magnet  222  may be coupled to (e.g. embedded or molded within) the plunger  218 . A reed switch  224  is then positioned to detect movement of the magnet  222  as the plunger  218  moves within the housing  212 . In particular, the reed switch  224  may be positioned within the body portion  212  and configured to respond to the magnetic field of the magnet  222  as plunger  218  moves within the housing  212  between the closed position (e.g. no liquid flow) and the open position (e.g. liquid is flowing). Accordingly, the reed switch  224  can sense when liquid is flowing within the conduit. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , in some embodiments the monitoring apparatus  210  may be formed of two body portions, including the first body portion  212  and a second body portion  213 . The second body portion  213  may be sized and shaped so it can be received within the first body portion  212 . Making the body portions separable may allow the plunger  218  and spring  220  to be more easily positioned within the flow switch  210 . 
     In some embodiments, an  0 -ring  217  or other sealing device may be provided between the first body portion  212  and second body portion  213  to provide a seal therebetween and inhibit fluid leaks. 
     In this embodiment, since the flow switch  210  is provided “in-line” with a conduit, the conduit need not be flexible, but could in fact be rigid. For example, the conduits could be made of a rigid plastic (e.g. PVC), copper, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the flow switch  210  could be implemented in other ways, such as using a Hall-effect sensor, a contact sensor, a proximity sensor, capacitive sensors, and so on. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , illustrated therein is a system  100  for monitoring fluid flow in beverage dispensing system according to another embodiment. The system  100  includes at least one monitoring apparatus  102  for monitoring fluid flow, which may be a non-invasive monitoring apparatus (e.g. apparatus  10  or  40 ) or an invasive monitoring apparatus (e.g. the flow switch  210 ) as generally described above. Each monitoring apparatus  102  is coupled to at least one fluid conduit  104  (which is flexible in the embodiments where a non-invasive monitoring apparatus is used). The system  100  may also include dispensing apparatus  106  (e.g. a fountain drink mixing and dispensing unit) used to dispense beverages (e.g. soft drinks). 
     When activated, the dispensing apparatus  106  will draw one or more fluids (e.g. flavored syrup) from one or more fluid supply reservoirs  105  via one or more conduits  104   a ,  104   b , and  104   c . The dispensing apparatus  106  may mix the fluids together and then dispense the desired beverage (e.g. using one or more nozzles  107   a ,  107   b ,  107   c ). 
     As each fluid flows through the conduits  104 , sensors in each passageway of the monitoring apparatus  102  can monitor a mechanical property (e.g. the deflection of the walls or outer surfaces) for each conduit  104   a ,  104   b , and  104   c  generally as described above. The sensors can then communicate this information to a data processing unit  110 , for example using a wireless communication channel  112 , or a wired communication channel  114 . 
     The data processing unit  110  may store this deflection data in a memory  118  or other data storage device. The deflection data may then be used by a processor  116  to calculate the fluid flow rates and/or the duration of fluid flow for each a particular conduit  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c.    
     In some embodiments, this calculation may be done in real-time or substantially real-time (e.g. each time a beverage is dispensed through a conduit  104 ), at predetermined time intervals (e.g. once or twice a day) or upon receiving a request to calculate the flow rates (e.g. in response to a request from a remote user  120  using a computer  122  coupled to the data processing unit  110  via the Internet  124 ). 
     In some embodiments, each monitoring apparatus  102  may alternatively include a memory coupled thereto and which may store the flow rate data for subsequent access, for example using a hand-held computing device  126 . 
     By calculating the fluid flow rates and/or the duration of fluid flow, the data processing unit  110  can be used to determine the quantity of a particular fluid flowing though each conduit. This may be helpful to determine whether an appropriate amount of beverage is being dispensed for each drink request (e.g. to combat theft and identify leaks in the beverage dispensing system). 
     The data processing unit  110  may also be configured to track the quantity of various supplies (e.g. flavored syrup) with minimal or no user interaction. In some embodiments, the data processing unit  110  can be configured to automatically order supplies as needed to ensure that the beverage dispensing system is properly stocked. For example, the data processing unit  110  may be configured to send a data message requesting additional supplies directly from a supplier over the Internet  124 , or wirelessly through a cellular network (not shown), based on predetermined events (e.g. particular quantities of fluid remaining, etc.) 
     In some embodiments, the data processing unit  110  may be calibrated according to the properties of the particular beverage dispensing system to improve the accuracy of the readings. For example, a calibration process can be performed when the system  100  is installed. This calibration could include performing one or more “dispensing events” (e.g. dispensing different beverages that include different types of fluids) into a “calibration cup” having a known volume while monitoring each conduit  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c  using the monitoring apparatus  102 . 
     For example, the sensors in the monitoring apparatus  102  can monitor the deflection of each conduit  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c  while a known volume (e.g.  1000  ml) is dispensed. This calibration may be performed one or more times to provide a number of data points for each conduit  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c . By recording the data provided by the sensors during each known “dispensing event”, the data processing unit  110  can be provided with a baseline that can be used to compare against subsequent dispensing cycles. 
     In some embodiments, a calibration may be performed at regular intervals after the system  100  has been installed to ensure that the system  100  remains accurate. For example, the system  100  could be recalibrated every three months, or every six months, or after a predetermined volume of liquid has been dispensed. 
     In some embodiments, the various components of the system  100  (e.g. the monitoring apparatus  102 , and the data processing unit  110 ) can be designed and constructed in such a manner so as to provide good protection against fluid ingress. For example, the data processing unit  110  may be configured so as to have an ingress rating of IP- 67  or better so as to inhibit liquid (e.g. flavored syrup) from damaging the components therein. 
     One of the advantages of using a non-invasive monitoring apparatus in the measurement system  100  is that there will be no required contact with any fluids, this making the fluids much less subject to contamination. 
     In some embodiments, the data processing unit  110  can be coupled directly to the housing (e.g. housing  12 ) of each monitoring apparatus  102  (e.g. via the flanges  34 ,  36 ). 
     Turning now to  FIG. 9 , illustrated therein is a system  300  for monitoring liquid flow in beverage dispensing system according to another embodiment. The system  300  is generally similar to the system  100  as described above, and similar reference numerals have been used to indicate the same or similar elements. 
     Similar to system  100  as described above, the system  300  may include one or more invasive or non-invasive monitoring apparatus, such as the flow switch  210  for monitoring liquid flow between a fluid supply reservoir  105  and a dispensing apparatus  106 . 
     Each flow switch  210  is coupled to one of the conduits (e.g. conduits  104   a ,  104   b , and  104   c ) and monitors liquid flow therein as generally described above. During use, each monitoring apparatus  210  may communicate information about liquid flow through the corresponding conduit  104  to one or more hubs  302  (in some cases using a wired connection, a wireless connection, or both). 
     The hub  302  collects liquid flow data (e.g. ON/OFF information received from the flow switch  210 ), and in turn may send all or a portion of this data to a gateway  304  (e.g. using a wired connection, a wireless connection, or both). In some cases, the hub  302  may process the data before sending to the gateway  304  (e.g. the hub  302  may compress the data, extract and send only relevant portions of the data, and so on). 
     The gateway  304  in turn can then send information such as the volume of liquid flowing through the conduits  104   a ,  104   b ,  104   c  to the data processing unit  110 . 
     For example, at least one of the hubs  302  and the gateway  304  may include at least one processor for calculating the volume of liquid flowing in a particular conduit  104  based on the ON/OFF data received from the monitoring apparatus  210  as well as other known properties for that conduit  104  (e.g. the characteristics of a pump used to pump liquid through the conduits  104 , the pressure in the conduits  104 , and so on). 
     In some embodiments, the gateway  304  may send other data (such as the ON/OFF data collected from the various monitoring apparatus  210 ) to the data processing unit  110  without performing additional processing thereon. 
     In some embodiments, the hub  302  may collect information about the conduits  104 , the fluid supply  105 , or both, from other sensors, such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and so on. The hub  302  in turn may send this data to the gateway  304 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more other hubs  303  may be used to receive information from other sensors  306  about other aspects of one or more food service establishments. For example, other sensors  306  may send information to the other hubs  303  about status of inventory and supplies in a restaurant, status of equipment (e.g. whether equipment such as a refrigerator is properly running and at what temperature), and so on. 
     In some embodiments, one or more other hubs  303  may be coupled to other data collection devices  308 , such as bar code readers, RFID readers, and so on. These data collection devices  308  may be used to track and measure supply levels (e.g. how many of a particular product are in an inventory storage location). 
     In some embodiments, the gateway  304  can send information collected from the sensors  306 , data collection devices  308  and other hubs  303  to the data processing unit  110  for further processing. This may be useful for improved supply chain management, monitoring equipment reliability, and so on. 
     In some embodiments, the data and information collected using the various sensors as described herein could be used for various purposes. For example, in some cases the data could be used to monitor or discover trends in consumption patterns (e.g. how much and what type of beverages are being consumed at various geographic locations, at various times or day or week, etc.). 
     In some examples, the data could be combined with other data (which could be collected from other sources), which may allow other trends to be observed or determined. For example, other data could be used to monitor or discover consumption patterns in response to external factors, such as weather, social and economic conditions, performance of sports teams, and so on. In other cases, consumption patterns could be monitored or tracked in relation to internal factors about the persons consuming the beverages (e.g. information such as gender or age, cultural or historical backgrounds, and so on). 
     In some cases, the various data collected could be used in association with advertising programs, for example to track responses to particular advertising campaigns or to measure effectiveness of various promotional materials. 
     While the above description provides examples of one or more systems, methods and/or apparatuses, it will be appreciated that other methods and/or apparatuses may be within the scope of the present description as interpreted by one of skill in the art.