WO2024030073A1

WO2024030073A1 - Beverage dispensing system

Info

Publication number: WO2024030073A1
Application number: PCT/SG2023/050389
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Pascal GABIE; Shanshan Zhang
Original assignee: Ecospirits Pte. Ltd.
Priority date: 2022-08-01
Filing date: 2023-05-31
Publication date: 2024-02-08

Abstract

A beverage dispensing apparatus is described. It includes a body for engaging a plurality of replaceable fluid receptacles, an extraction assembly, a controller for controlling extraction of fluid from the receptacles, a dispenser assembly for dispensing the fluid into a container, and a reader system for reading identifiers each receptacle and container. A processor receives data comprising the identifiers, and verifies them based on particular conditions, the controller then controlling dispensing based on whether or not particular ones of the identifiers were verified.

Description

Beverage Dispensing System

Technical Field

The present invention relates, in general terms, to a beverage dispensing apparatus, and also relates to a system comprising a plurality of the beverage dispensing apparatus.

Background

In the spirits distribution industry, up to 70% of the base cost of goods sold (COGS) in bottled spirits is comprised of packaging- or supply chain-related components. These components include glass bottles, paper labels, stoppers, other packaging elements, cardboard boxes, pallets, logistics and all related labour at each step in the production, distribution and consumption value chain.

Current packaging technology and distribution practices for spirits create enormous amounts of waste. It is desirable therefore to provide a device or apparatus that removes or ameliorates the abovementioned drawbacks.

Existing liquid dispensing systems are available, in which a glass depresses a stopper to dispenser a fluid. Such systems do not solve problems relating to circular packaging and closed loop beverage distribution. Existing dispensing systems do not enable an automated, hygienic, one-button transfer of spirits or wine from the system to a bottle or vessel used to serve the consumer in a hospitality venue (bars, restaurants and hotels).

Existing liquid dispensing systems are also unable to solve the supply chain visibility problem and therefore cannot be used for stock level management, sales insights, and supply chain security.

It would be desirable to overcome all or at least one of the above-described problems. Summary

Beverage dispensing apparatus disclosed herein can be used to record and report data related to the transfer/consumption of wine and spirits from liquid dispensing systems, in hospitality venues. The apparatus can also be used to verify the origin of beverages and the like, to ensure authenticity and to secure the supply chain.

Disclosed herein is a beverage dispensing apparatus comprising: a body for engaging a plurality of replaceable fluid receptacles; an extraction assembly for performing an extraction process by extracting fluid from the receptacles; a controller comprising two or more volume selectors for controlling extraction, by the extraction assembly, of a respective volume of the fluid from the receptacles; a dispenser assembly for dispensing the fluid, extracted by the extraction assembly, into a container; and a reader system for reading a plurality of first identifiers each on a respective receptacle and a second identifier on the container, wherein a processor is configured to: receive, from the reader system, data comprising the first identifiers and the second identifier; verify each first identifier based on one or more first conditions; and verify the second identifier based on one or more second conditions, wherein if the second identifier satisfies the one or more second conditions and at least one said first identifier satisfies the one or more first conditions, the processor is configured to determine one or more potential receptacles each having a corresponding first identifier that satisfies the one or more first conditions, and the controller is operable to control extraction of the fluid from said one or more potential receptacles, and wherein if the first identifiers do not satisfy at least one said first condition and/or if the second identifier does not satisfy at least one said second condition, the controller cannot be operated to extract fluid from the receptacles.

The terms "extraction process" and "dispensing process" can be used interchangeably unless context dictates otherwise. They will be taken to refer to the process of extracting a volume fluid from the receptacle and dispensing that volume into a vessel/container (or otherwise out of the apparatus). Between each receptacle and when the fluid exits the apparatus, the fluid passes along a flow path - e.g. in tubing.

In some embodiments, the body is a housing that substantially encloses the receptacle.

In some embodiments, the housing comprises a window through which part of the receptacle is visible.

In some embodiments, the housing comprises a lighting unit in the window configured to illuminate the part of the receptacle.

In some embodiments, the processor is in communication with memory, wherein data corresponding to the extracted volumes of the fluid is stored in the memory.

In some embodiments, the memory is configured to store time/date of each extraction process.

In some embodiments, the identifier is configured to identify a type of the fluid and the receptacle itself.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to monitor a volume of fluid in the container and: notify when one or more of the receptacles are empty; and disallow more than a total volume of the container to be dispensed into the container.

In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing apparatus further comprises a battery for powering the apparatus.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises the processor. In some embodiments, the reader system comprises a plurality of NFC readers.

In some embodiments, the plurality of receptacles contain two or more types of fluids. The processor is configured to: record all dispensing/extraction processes over all the potential receptacles; and for each type of fluid : determine an inventory level based on a combined volume of the type fluid in the receptacles; and notify of a need to order more of the type of fluid when the inventory level drops below a predetermined threshold.

Disclosed herein is also a system comprising a plurality of the beverage dispensing apparatuses according to any one mentioned above; and a system processor configured to: record all dispensing/extraction processes over all the apparatuses; determine an overall inventory level based on combined volumes of the receptacles in the plurality of apparatuses; and notify the need to order more of the fluid when the inventory level drops below a predetermined threshold.

In some embodiments, the system processor is further configured to notify of an attempt to extract fluid from a receptacle that could not be verified.

In some embodiments, the beverage dispensing apparatuses are configured to communicate wirelessly with the system processor.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is the front view of an example beverage dispensing apparatus;

Figure 2 is the back view of the beverage dispensing apparatus illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is the perspective view of another beverage dispensing apparatus;

Figure 4 shows a plurality of components installed on an example printed circuit board;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing components of an exemplary computer system for performing the methods described herein; and

Figure 6 illustrates an example supply chain management system.

Detailed description

The present invention relates to a beverage dispensing apparatus. The proposed beverage dispensing apparatus is an electronic accessory for seamless, hygienic in-venue dispensing and sustainable refilling. Some embodiments facilitate circular packaging (e.g. sterilisation and reuse) and closed loop beverage distribution. The proposed circular packaging solutions incorporate the principles of the circular economy and integrate seamlessly into sustainability efforts. The proposed beverage dispensing apparatus is also an electronic closed loop device that automatically regulates the beverage dispensing process variables without human interaction. In particular, when operated as a closed loop and circular packing system, the beverage dispensing apparatus eliminates more than 95% of the packaging waste and as much as 80% of the carbon footprint of beverage distribution and consumption.

Beverage dispensing apparatuses disclosed herein can solve the liquid transfer problem through electronic pouring control. Such apparatuses can also enable an automatic, hygienic, one-button transfer of a beverage (e.g. spirit or wine) from a fluid receptacle to the bottle or vessel used to serve the consumer in a hospitality venue such as a bar, restaurant or hotel. The apparatus supports pouring with programmable buttons for set dispense measures - e.g. dispensing (i.e. extracting from the receptacle and dispensing into a vessel) a selectable/programmable predetermined volume of fluid. The proposed beverage dispensing apparatus offers hospitality venues a range of performance upgrades over prior manual transfer solutions, improving speed, hygiene, and accuracy. Each apparatus is water resistant, easy to clean, and transitions seamlessly between beverage types.

The proposed beverage dispensing apparatus can also solve the supply chain visibility problem by connecting the apparatus wirelessly to servers through a Wi-Fi (or hardwired) module. The apparatus can record and report all data related to the transfer/consumption of beverages the hospitality industry. The proposed apparatus also provides sensing and data reporting to track liquid dispensing processes and to verify the supply chain in a closed loop system. In this context, verifying the supply chain includes ensuring the authenticity of the fluid being dispensed, such that it can be tracked back to a particular supplier authorised to dispense that fluid. The apparatus can also, or alternatively, be used to monitor the volume of the fluid from the receptacle enclosed in it as well as the consumption of beverage in a hospitality venue so as to decide whether or not certain actions should be taken in order to ensure supply chain stability and efficiency. The data reporting/recording features are valuable to users of the apparatus in managing the sustainability impact of the closed loop and circular packing system.

Last but not least, the proposed beverage dispensing apparatus can solve the aesthetic presentability problem for closed loop packaging formats. The apparatus is designed to be coupled with a fluid receptacle, which is used for containing the beverage. The fluid receptacle may be injured during transit, in storage or use and be in a or condition that is not presentable. For example, the receptacle may show the wear and tear on the surface/body of the receptacle and may not be presentable to the users. In such cases, the proposed apparatus can solve the problem of aesthetics/visuals of reusable vessels in a front-of- house environment by at least partially, or even fully, enclosing the fluid receptacle.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an example beverage dispensing apparatus 100. The beverage may be a spirit such as a distilled, consumable spirit, e.g. vodka, rum, tequila, whisky, gin or other type of spirit or liqueur. The term "type" may also refer to a brand of the spirit or beverage, or the producer. Thus the "type" may uniquely identify the beverage to be dispensed or in the receptacle. It will be appreciated that the beverage dispensing apparatus 100 can be powered by a battery (see 206 in Figure 2). The beverage dispensing apparatus 100 broadly comprises: a body 102 for engaging a plurality of replaceable fluid receptacles (e.g. the receptacles 201 shown in Figure 2); an extraction assembly (203 shown in Figure 2) for performing an extraction process by extracting fluid from the receptacles; a controller 106 comprising two or more volume selectors 107 for controlling extraction, by the extraction assembly, of a respective volume of the fluid from the receptacles; a dispenser assembly 108 for dispensing the fluid, extracted by the extraction assembly, into a container (e.g. a reusable bottle); and a reader system 110 for reading a plurality of first identifiers (e.g. QR codes) each on a respective receptacle and a second identifier (e.g. a bar code) on the container, wherein a processor (e.g. 202 shown in Figure 2) is configured to: receive, from the reader system 110, data comprising the first identifiers and the second identifier; verify each first identifier based on one or more first conditions; and verify the second identifier based on one or more second conditions, wherein if the second identifier satisfies the one or more second conditions and at least one said first identifier satisfies the one or more first conditions, the processor 202 is configured to determine one or more potential receptacles each having a corresponding first identifier that satisfies the one or more first conditions, and the controller 106 is operable to control extraction of the fluid from said one or more potential receptacles, and wherein if the first identifiers do not satisfy at least one said first condition and/or if the second identifier does not satisfy at least one said second condition, the controller 106 cannot be operated to extract fluid from the receptacles 201.

Each replaceable fluid receptacle 201 is used to contain the liquid. The liquid may be a spirit such as a distilled, consumable spirit - e.g. vodka, rum, tequila, whisky, gin or other type of spirit or liqueur. The body 102 may be a protective housing, which may also be referred to as a protective enclosure. In some embodiments, the body 102 is an enclosed cabinet with door that can be opened. Said door can be opened when one or more receptacles 201 need to be replaced, and is closed when the beverage dispensing apparatus 100 is being used for dispensing the liquid to the container. It will be appreciated that the body 102 may also be used to accommodate a plurality of containers to be filled. The body 102 is separated into different areas by shelf(s) 109, so that the containers and receptacles 201 can be placed on different shelfs.

Since spirits are generally solvents, the replaceable fluid receptacles 201 should be resistant to dissolution. While the replaceable fluid receptacles 201 may be formed from any suitable material, the present replaceable fluid receptacle 201 is formed from glass though, in some embodiments, metal or some plastics may be used. Advantageously, the body 102 is capable of protecting similar fluid receptacles formed from other materials that are rigid in the sense of being frangible or brittle. The body 102 may also be resistant to dissolution in the event of a leak of liquid from the replaceable fluid receptacle.

Since the replaceable fluid receptacles 201 are protected by the body 102 against some impacts, it may have a larger capacity than standard 750mL or IL spirits bottles. For example, each replaceable fluid receptacle may have a capacity of 1.5L, 2.0L, 2.25L, 3.0L, 3.75L, 4.0L, 4.5L, 9.0L or another desired volume. In preferred embodiments, the volume of each replaceable fluid receptacle 201 is a whole multiple of a standard volume spirits bottle. Thus, each replaceable fluid receptacle 201 will be emptied upon complete filling of a particular number of spirits bottles. The body 102 may have a capacity slightly larger than that of those replaceable fluid receptacles 201 so as to engage the receptacle. In preferred embodiments, the volume of the body 102 is a whole multiple of the replaceable fluid receptacles 201 to avoid sliding of the replaceable fluid receptacles 201 in the body 102. In preferred embodiments, the body 102 is able to engage the replaceable fluid receptacles with different volumes, thus making it unnecessary to design different sizes of the body 102.

The body 102 may be any desired shape. In some embodiments, the body 102 is cylindrical. Thus, the body 102 may have a circular cross-section. The skilled person will appreciate that the term "cylindrical" does not mean the ends of the body 102 terminate exactly at right angles with the sidewall of the body 102. Rather, the present body 102 and each replaceable fluid receptacle may be cylindrical in a similar sense of a standard wine or spirit bottle being cylindrical.

The body 102 substantially encloses the replaceable fluid receptacles in use. The body 102 may comprise an enclosure top, and a plurality of enclosure slides for enclosing the fluid receptacle. The body 102 may be formed from any desired material, such as injection moulded plastic. However, the body 102 is presently formed from a deformable, or readily deformable, material such as aluminium. This ensures the body 102 will preferentially collapse, as opposed to fracturing the fluid receptacle, if the dispensing apparatus 100 is dropped. The body 102 is therefore sacrificial.

As shown in Figure 1, the body 102 is a housing that substantially enclose the receptacles 201, making the receptacles 201 visually presentable as a result of the enclosed design. The receptacles 201 may be fully enclosed with only the brand plate of the receptacles 201 visible, or nothing visible. The receptacles 201 may be in a particular shape which is not presentable. For example, the exposed areas of each fluid receptacle 201 are usually protected from impacts by a handle extending across the exposed area. Showing the wear and tear of the handle may be not presentable to the users. The proposed apparatus 100 can solve the problem of aesthetics/visuals of reusable vessels in a front-of- house environment by substantially enclosing the fluid receptacle. Such design allows for aesthetic coverage of other areas of the fluid receptacle that suffer damages during closed loop operations - i.e. those areas are obscured.

The housing 102 may comprises a window through which part of the receptacle is visible. In the present disclosure, the window is used for viewing brand, volume, and product information. In particular, each receptacle 201 may comprise a brand plate showing the product name, volume, alcohol percentage and other information. The users can read the above information printed on the brand plate through the window. It will be appreciated that the users of the beverage dispensing apparatus 100 may have the need to check frequently the condition of the fluid receptacle enclosed by the body 102. For example, the alcohol consumers may want to visually check the quality of the spirit contained in the fluid receptacle. The supply chain maintainers may need to check whether the fluid receptacle has suffered damages during closed loop operations. Removing the receptacles 201 from the housing 102 to check the condition of the receptacle is time-consuming and thus inefficient. It will be appreciated checking the condition of the receptacle as well as other parts of the apparatus 102 through the window helps to ensure the supply chain stability and efficiency.

The receptacle may be inserted into, and taken out of, the body 102 through an openable top, as shown in Figure 1. The top comprises electronics that measure extraction/dispensing processes and the volume of the receptacle. Alternatively, the receptacle may be inserted into, or taken out of, the body through a side opening or being insertable by the body being slid over the receptacle. It will be appreciated in view of present teachings, that other arrangements are possible and all such arrangements are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the housing 102 comprises a lighting unit (not shown) in the window configured to illuminate the part of the receptacle. The lighting unit is used to display part of the receptacle that is interested to the users of the beverage dispensing apparatus 100 in a low light environment. The housing may comprise a light switch. When a user of the apparatus 100 finds the surroundings too dim to visually check the condition of the receptacle (e.g. by reading the brand plate on the receptacle) through the window, he/she can operate the light switch to turn on the lighting unit. It will be appreciated that the lighting unit may be automatically illuminated in low conditions. In particular, the lighting unit may further comprise light sensors (such as photosensitive sensors) such that when the surrounding luminosity is below a certain value, the lighting unit will be turned on to illuminate the receptacle, and when the surrounding luminosity is higher than a certain value, the lighting unit will be turned off to save power.

As shown in Figure 2, the extraction assembly 203 comprises a liquid pump. In some embodiments, the extraction assembly 203 further comprises a liquid intake tube and an air pump. Since spirits are generally solvents, the extraction assembly 203 may also be resistant to dissolution. In the present disclosure, the air pump is configured to blow out leftover fluid in the flowmeter and dispensing tap (i.e., the fluid in a flow path from the receptacle to the container into which the fluid is dispensed). The air pump helps avoid drips after dispensing. It also assists with purging/flushing of the apparatus 100 after dispensing or after cleaning. This ensures cleanliness of the apparatus, i.e. the flow path, and avoids cross-contamination of fluids. In another example, the air pump is configured to provide atmosphere pressure for the beverage to flow out of the receptacle through the liquid intake tube to the liquid pump - i.e. displacing beverage (interchangeably referred to as fluid unless context dictates otherwise) from the receptacle by at least partially filling the receptacle with gas. The liquid pump is then configured to drive the beverage to the dispenser 108. In the embodiment as shown in Figure 2, the extraction assembly 203 is supported by the body 102. Such design allows the liquid intake tube to naturally extend into the receptacle when the receptacles 201 is installed in the body 102, and also reduces the impact of the pump vibration on the extraction process when the pumps are operating. It will also be appreciated that the length of intake tube can be adjusted according to the depth of the receptacle so that all the beverage inside the receptacle can be extracted.

The controller 106 comprises two or more volume selectors 107. In particular, the volume selectors 107 allow the users to select different volumes of the beverage to be dispensed. When in use, the users of the apparatus 100 tap each volume selector representing a respective volume of the fluid, and the fluid of that respective volume will then be dispensed from the apparatus 100. A LCD display touch screen may be used to display the optional volume for selection. In some examples, the volume selectors 107 are physical buttons. It will be appreciated that the volume selectors 107 can also be capacitive touch buttons or other types of buttons, and the display can be a type of display that is suitable for use rather than being limited to a LCD display. In another example as shown in Figure 1, the volume selectors 107 are integrated with the touch-screen LCD display screen so that the user can select a volume by simply touching the display screen. In such case, the apparatus 100 provides a one-push pour at 50ml (see 111), 100ml (see 112), and 200ml (see 113) volumes, along with a continuous pour option for any desired fill volume. Each volume selector of 111, 112, and 113 is used for controlling extraction, by the extraction assembly, of a respective predetermined volume of the fluid from a particular receptacle 201. It will be appreciated that the volume of each replaceable fluid receptacle 201 may be a whole multiple of each respective predetermined volume. Thus, the replaceable fluid receptacle will be emptied after a number of predetermined volumes of containers have been completely filed. As will be discussed in detail, the controller 106 can be installed on a printed circuit board (PCB) 205.

The apparatus 100 also comprises the reader system 110, the present embodiment including a plurality of different readers, for reading a plurality of first identifiers each on a respective receptacle 201 and a second identifier on the container. In one example, the reader system 110 is a near-field communication (NFC) reader for checking the condition of each receptacle 201 and container. The NFC reader 110 is a simple tool letting the users to read contact-less tags on the receptacle. In other examples, the reader system 110 could also be QR code scanner, barcode scanner or other suitable reader technology.

The reader system 110 can be used to check receptacle-related data comprising each receptacle 201 itself, the volume of the fluid in each receptacle 201, the fluid type, the fluid temperature, as well as the fluid flow rate for dispensing - e.g. by reading each first identifier on a respective receptacle 201 and crossreferencing each first identifier with a database, or each first identifier being an address or pointer to data describing the receptacle 201 and/or its contents. It will be appreciated that the receptacle-related data can be collected by a plurality of sensors that may/may not be installed on the apparatus 100.

The reader system 110 can also be used to check container-related data comprising the container itself, the volume of the fluid in the container, the fluid type, the fluid temperature, as well as the fluid flow rate for dispensing - e.g. by reading each first identifier on the container and cross-referencing the second identifier with a database, or the second identifier being an address or pointer to data describing the container and/or its contents. It will be appreciated that the container-related data can be collected by a plurality of sensors that may/may not be installed on the apparatus 100. As shown in Figure 2, the apparatus 100 comprises a flowmeter 204 for detecting the fluid flow rate for dispensing as well as the extracted volumes of the fluid. In the present disclosure, the flowmeter 204 counts rotations (e.g. of a rotor of a peristaltic pump for extracting the liquid, or of a rotor in a fluid line through which the dispensed fluid passes from a receptacle to the container, the rotor potentially being passive (non-powered) and driven by the flow of the fluid) and determines dispensed volume based on the number of rotations. The liquid dispenser assembly 108 works with the flowmeter 204 to avoid counting rotations when the flowmeter 204 is being driven by air. In some embodiments, the dispenser assembly 108 comprises a plurality of dispensing nozzles, each nozzle is used to fill a respective container. The plurality of dispensing nozzles may include one dispensing nozzle for each receptacle, one dispensing nozzle for a group of receptacles, a combination of those types of dispensing nozzles, or, in other embodiments, a single dispensing nozzle can be provided for all receptacles. Where multiple dispensing nozzles are provided, the apparatus 100 can fill multiple containers at the same time. It will be appreciated that when the apparatus 100 is filling the containers, the containers can be placed on a drip tray 114, which is useful for preventing drips and small leaks onto the ground.

A liquid sensor (not shown) detects the presence of liquid in flow/dispensing tubing through which the fluid passes from the receptacle during dispensing. The liquid sensor or another sensor may also be used to check the fluid type/temperature of the fluid. The sensors may send the collected data comprising the first identifiers and the second identifier to the reader 110, and the processor 202 then communicates with the reader system 108 to collect data from the apparatus 100 to perform the corresponding operations according to the collected data. In some instances, the processor 202 (which can be a single processor or multiple processors) is part of the apparatus 100 itself and in other instances the processor 202 is remote from the apparatus 100.

In particular, if the at least one said first identifier satisfies the one or more first conditions (e.g. that each first identifier corresponds to a respective receptacle 201 that has been confirmed as having previously arrived at the relevant venue, that it is known to not yet be empty of fluid, and that the volume of fluid is at least sufficient to dispense the volume determined by the button selected by the user), and at the same time if the second identifier satisfies the one or more second conditions (e.g. that the second identifier corresponds to a container that has been confirmed as having previously arrived at the relevant venue or as having been sold or otherwise associated with a network of containers, systems for dispensing beverages in accordance with present teachings, and receptacles for use in those systems, that it is known to be empty of fluid, and that the volume of the container is at least sufficient to receive the volume determined by the button selected by the user), the processor 202 will determine one or more potential receptacles each having a corresponding first identifier that satisfies the one or more first conditions, and the controller 106 will control extraction of the fluid from said one or more potential receptacles. The processor 202 will also record all dispensing/extraction processes over all the potential receptacles. It will be appreciated that even if multiple said first identifiers satisfy the one or more first conditions (i.e., there is more than one receptacle 201 containing a selected fluid and any non-empty one of those receptacles 201 can be used to dispense the fluid to the container), the processor 202 may only select one or some of them for dispensing. Notably, a second identifier on the container may be associated with a particular type of fluid (e.g., vodka, tequila, rum and so on) such that the dispensing apparatus 100 dispenses from only the receptacle 201, or those receptacles 201, containing the particular type of fluid as indicated by the respective first identifier associated with the receptacle 201 or those receptacles 201. Alternatively, or in addition, the controller 106 may include a fluid selector such that the container can be filled with a selected type of fluid from a receptacle 201, or receptacles 201, containing that fluid. Alternatively, or in addition, where a dispensing nozzle is associated with a specific type of fluid, the container may be filled with a predetermined volume (e.g. if data associated with the second identifier, either in a database (remotely located or locally located) that can be cross-referenced on reading the second identifier or data contained in the second identifier itself) of that fluid, or a volume of that fluid as selected using the controller 106, the volume of that fluid being extracted from one or more receptacles 201 associated with the dispensing nozzle. Where multiple receptacles contain a particular type of fluid, fluid from one of the multiple receptacles can be extracted until the receptacle is empty. The dispensing apparatus then automatically switches to dispense from another receptacle from the multiple receptacles. For a particular type of fluid, there may be more receptacles than dispensing nozzles, to increase a dispensing capacity for that fluid type from any one dispensing nozzle. An advantage of this arrangement is that additional receptacles can be ordered to restock the particular fluid type when one or more of the multiple receptacles containing that fluid type is empty, but before all of those receptacles are empty.

If the first identifiers do not satisfy at least one said first condition, the controller 106 cannot be operated to extract fluid from the receptacles 201. For example, if the liquid sensor detects that the temperature of the fluid within all receptacles 201 is above a predetermined value, the controller 106 will not be operated to extract the fluid from the receptacle. In another example, if all the receptacles 201 are found to be empty or not contain enough fluid to dispense, the controller 106 will not start the extraction process.

If the second identifier does not satisfy at least one said second condition, the controller 106 cannot be operated to extract fluid from the receptacles 201. For example, if the second identifier corresponds to a container that has not been confirmed as having previously arrived at the relevant venue (having "arrived at the relevant venue" may include having been sold at the relevant venue, having been associated with the dispensing apparatus 100 - e.g. by having a second identifier corresponding to an entry in a database (located locally or remotely) associated with the dispensing apparatus 100 - or having been similarly associated with a system or network comprising a plurality of such dispensing apparatuses), the controller 106 will not be operated to extract the fluid from the receptacle. In another example, if second identifier corresponds to a container already containing some fluids, the controller 106 will not start the extraction process.

In one example, the reader system 110 comprises a plurality of NFC readers 115 for checking the condition of the container. Each NFC reader 115 is a tool letting the users to read contact-less tags on the container. In other examples, the readers 115 could also be QR code scanner or use other suitable reader technologies. The readers 115 can be used to check container-related data comprising the volume of the fluid in the container, the fluid type, the fluid temperature, as well as the fluid flow rate for dispensing. The container-related data can also be collected by a plurality of sensors that may/may not be installed on the apparatus 100.

As shown in Figure 2, the apparatus 100 comprises a flowmeter 204 (or the flowmeter 204 in conjunction with other sensors, or a weight sensor for detecting weight which is a proxy for volume) for detecting the volumes of the fluid in the container. A liquid sensor (not shown in Figure 2) may also be used to check the fluid type/temperature of the fluid in the container. The sensors such as 302 may send the collected data to the reader system 110, and the processor 202 then communicates with the reader 112 so as to do the corresponding operations according to the collected data. It will be appreciated that the information detected by those sensors may be further stored in the second identifier on the container. In particular, if the second identifier satisfies one or more conditions the controller 106 is operable to control extraction of the fluid from the receptacles 201 and if the second identifier does not satisfy at least one said second condition, the controller 106 cannot be operated to extract fluid from the receptacles 201. For example, if the flowmeter 302 detects that the volume of the container is at or above a predetermined value, the controller will not be operated to extract the fluid from the receptacles 201.

In some embodiments, the processor 202 is installed in the apparatus 100. In other words, the apparatus 100 further comprises the processor 202. In such case, the processor 114 may also be on the PCB 128. In some other examples, the processor 114 can be remote. Such design allows for remote service implementations. The remote processor may be able to control a plurality of different replaceable fluid receptacles, for example the receptacles in a same hospitality venue such as bar, restaurant and hotel. As will be discussed in detail, the present invention also relates to a system comprising a plurality of beverage dispensing apparatuses 100 controlled by a single processor. In such case, said single processor is able to communicate with multiple reader systems 110 on different apparatuses so as to do the corresponding operations according to the collected data from different reader systems 110. The apparatuses 100 in the same hospitality as a whole can record and report all data related to the trans- fer/consumption of beverage in the hospitality venue. As a result, the supply chain visibility problem can be solved by connecting different apparatuses in the same hospitality venue wirelessly (e.g. through a Wi-Fi module) to the same processor. The consumption of beverages in the hospitality venue can be validated so as to allow said single processor to decide whether or not certain actions should be taken in order to ensure supply chain stability and efficiency.

In some embodiments, the processor 202 may not communicate with the reader systems 110 or sensors directly. Instead, the processor 202 may be in communication with memory, which may be installed in the apparatus 100. The purpose of this design is to avoid channel clogging caused by the processor having to communicate with targets (i.e., the sensors and reader systems). The memory is configured to store data corresponding to the extracted volumes of the fluid. The memory can also comprise other data comprising the volume of the fluid in the receptacles/ container, the fluid type, the fluid temperature, as well as the fluid flow rate for dispensing. The memory is able to integrate different information so as to allow the processor to decide whether or not certain actions should be taken according to the information from different sources. In one example, the processor 202 will allow the controller 106 to operate so as to extract the fluid from the receptacle only if the following conditions are all satisfied: 1) the container is an authenticated bottle (e.g. the second identifier corresponds to an identifier stored in the memory); 2) the weight of the container is not above a predetermined value; and 3) the extracted volumes of the fluid is not above a predetermined value. In particular, the reader system 110 is used to check whether the container is an authenticated bottle, the weight of the container may be detected by a weight sensor installed with the drip tray 114 while the extracted volumes of the fluid are detected by the flowmeter 204. The memory will integrate the data collected from both the reader system 110, weight sensor and flowmeter 204, and if at least one of the above three conditions is not satisfied, the processor will decide that the controller 106 cannot be operated to extract fluid from the receptacles 201.

The memory can also store the time/date of each extraction process. In general, the supply chain management problem can be solved by connecting different memory (installed on different apparatuses 100) that stores the extraction time information to the same processor 202. As mentioned earlier, the present invention relates to a system comprising a plurality of beverage dispensing apparatuses controlled by a single processor or remote server or servers. The apparatuses in the same hospitality venue as a whole can record and report all data related to the transfer/consumption of beverage in the hospitality venue. Similarly, apparatuses distributed across a geographical area can all deliver data to the single processor or remote server or servers. In this sense, the single processor, remote server or servers may control the dispensing apparatuses insofar as to monitor usage data (e.g. dispensing of fluid, fluid type, fluid volume and so on) from those dispensing apparatuses, but may or may not actually control dispensing operations at each dispensing apparatus. In such case, each memory can store the time/date of extraction process related to a respective apparatus. The processor 202 is able to communicate with the memory on different apparatuses so as to do the corresponding operations according to the stored data from each memory or all the memories collectively. For example, the processor 202 can determine which apparatus is used more frequently and which apparatus is used less frequently according to the time/date of each extraction process stored in different memory. The processor can then decide that the controller on a frequently used apparatus cannot continue to operate to avoid excessive wear on the apparatus, or that apparatuses/receptacles should be swapped over to avoid fluid expiration in another less frequently used apparatus.

In some embodiments, the identifier received from the reader system 110 is able to identify a type of fluid in the receptacle/container and the recepta- cle/container itself. The fluid may be a spirit such as a distilled, consumable spirit, e.g. vodka, rum, tequila, whisky, gin or other type of spirit or liqueur. Different spirits may need different receptacles/containers. For example, if the spirit is whisky, it usually needs to be stored in a whiskey decanter rather than other containers. In one embodiment, if the processor 202 detects that the fluid for dispensing is whiskey, and it detects that the container for receiving the fluid is not a whiskey decanter by reading the second identifier on the container, the processor 202 will not allow the controller 106 to operate to extract the fluid from the receptacle to the container. In addition, as spirits are generally solvents, the replaceable fluid receptacle as well as the container should be resistant to dissolution. In one embodiment, if the processor 202 detects that the container for receiving the spirits is not resistant to dissolution by reading the second identifier on the container, the processor 202 will not allow the controller 106 to operate to extract the fluid from the receptacle to the container.

In some embodiments, the processor 202 continually monitors a volume of the container. The volume of the container may be detected by the flowmeter 204. The processor 202 is able to determine whether the receptacle 201 is empty according to the extracted volumes of the fluid. When a receptacle is empty, the processor 114 will prevent the controller 106 from working, so that the air pump and liquid pump 203 will not idle. The processor 202 will also notify and send an alert to the users of the apparatus 100 for replacing the receptacle.

The processor 202 may disallow more than a total volume of the container to be dispensed from the receptacle 201. The maximum volume of the container that can still be extracted from the receptacle may be stored in the second identifier. It may also be calculated according to the data regarding the extracted volumes of the fluid that is collected by the flowmeter 203. The maximum volume of the container to be extracted from the receptacle can also be determined by reference to the second identifier on the container or by the container having a standard volume. For example, if there is only 600ml spirit in the receptacles 201, and the user taps the button "750ml" for dispensing the spirit, the processor 202 will disallow the controller 106 to operate, or only allow the controller 106 to operate until 600ml spirit has been dispensed. In the latter case, when all receptacles 201 are empty, the processor 202 will prevent the controller from working, so that the air pump and liquid pump will not idle.

In some embodiments, the processor 206 is also able to calculate an overall inventory level of the fluid and determine, based on the overall inventory level, whether to notify of a need to order more of the fluid, or may automatically order the fluid. For example, if there is only 100ml spirit in the receptacle, the processor 202 will notify the users to order more of the fluid. The reason why the processor 202 does not wait until the receptacle is empty to notify the users is that the alcohol producers may need time to produce and deliver the additional liquids, and leaving the receptacle empty can be detrimental to the stability of the supply chain. It will be appreciated that the processor 202 may automatically order more of the fluid based on the inventory level, and the efficiency of the supply chain would thus be enhanced by the absence of human intervention.

In the present invention, the plurality of receptacles in the proposed beverage dispensing apparatus may contain two or more types of fluids. Said types of fluid may be vodka, tequila or gin, but may also be a particular type of vodka, tequila or gin. Figure 3 shows another example beverage dispensing apparatus 300. The beverage dispensing apparatus 300 broadly comprises: a body 302 for engaging a plurality of replaceable fluid receptacles; an extraction assembly (not shown) for performing an extraction process by extracting fluid from the receptacles; a controller 306 comprising two or more volume selectors for controlling extraction, by the extraction assembly, of a respective volume of the fluid from the receptacles; a dispenser assembly 308 for dispensing the fluid, extracted by the extraction assembly, into a container 309; and a reader system 310 for reading a plurality of first identifiers (e.g. QR codes) each on a respective receptacle and a second identifier (e.g. a bar code) on the container, wherein a processor (not shown) is configured to: receive, from the reader system 310, data comprising the first identifiers and the second identifier; verify each first identifier based on one or more first conditions; and verify the second identifier based on one or more second conditions, wherein if the second identifier satisfies the one or more second conditions and at least one said first identifier satisfies the one or more first conditions, the processor is configured to determine one or more potential receptacles each having a corresponding first identifier that satisfies the one or more first conditions, and the controller 306 is operable to control extraction of the fluid from said one or more potential receptacles, and wherein if the first identifiers do not satisfy at least one said first condition and/or if the second identifier does not satisfy at least one said second condition, the controller 306 cannot be operated to extract fluid from the receptacles.

The controller 306 of the apparatus 300 comprises two or more fluid type selectors 307. In particular, the apparatus 300 contains six types of fluid. In particular, the fluid selectors 307 allow the users to select different volumes of the beverage to be dispensed. When in use, the users of the apparatus 300 tap each fluid selector representing a respective type of the fluid, and the fluid of that particular type will then be dispensed from the apparatus 300. A LCD display touch screen may be used to display the optional volume for select. In some examples, the type selectors 307 are physical buttons. It will be appreciated that the fluid selectors 107 can also be capacitive touch buttons or other types of buttons, and the display can be a type of display that is suitable for use rather than being limited to a LCD display. In another example as shown in Figure 3, the fluid selectors 307 are integrated with the touch-screen LCD display screen so that the user can select a type of fluid by simply touching the display screen.

For each type of fluid, the processor of the apparatus 300 is able to calculate an overall inventory level of this particular type of fluid and determine, based on the overall inventory level, whether to notify of a need to order more of the fluid. The processor can determine an inventory level based on a combined volume of a particular type fluid in the receptacles of the apparatus 300. In the present disclosure, the processor will notify of a need to order more of the type of fluid when the inventory level drops below a predetermined threshold. In one embodiment, if there is only 100ml vodka in the receptacles containing vodka, the processor of the apparatus 300 will notify the users to order more vodka. The reason why the processor does not wait until the receptacles containing vodka is empty to notify the users is that the alcohol producers may need time to produce and deliver the additional liquids, and leaving the receptacles containing vodka empty can be detrimental to the stability of the supply chain. It will be appreciated that the processor of the apparatus 300 may automatically order more of the fluid based on the inventory level, and the efficiency of the supply chain would thus be enhanced by the absence of human intervention. The present invention also relates to a system comprising a plurality of the proposed beverage dispensing apparatuses, and each apparatus is able to communicate wirelessly with the system operator. In such case, the processor of the system can be remote. The remote system processor may be able to control a plurality of different replaceable fluid receptacles, for example the receptacles in a same hospitality venue such as bar, restaurant and hotel. The apparatuses in the same hospitality venue as a whole can record and report all data related to the transfer/consumption of beverage in the hospitality. As a result, the supply chain visibility problem can be solved by connecting different apparatuses in the same hospitality venue wirelessly to the same system processor.

In some embodiments, the system processor continually records all dispens- ing/extraction processes over all the apparatuses. For example, the volume of the vessel may be detected by the flowmeters installed on different apparatuses. The system processor is able to determine whether any receptacle in a hospitality venue is empty according to the extracted volumes of the fluid. When a specific receptacle is empty, the system processor will prevent the controller of that specific receptacle from working, so that the air pump and liquid pump of that specific receptacle will not idle. The system processor will also notify and send an alert to the users for replacing that specific receptacle.

The system processor may determine an overall inventory level based on combined volumes of the receptacles in the plurality of apparatuses. The system processor may further disallow more than a total volume of the vessel to be dispensed from the plurality of receptacles. The maximum volume of the vessel that can still be extracted from the plurality of receptacles can be calculated according to the data regarding the extracted volumes of the fluid that is collected by the flowmeters on the plurality of receptacles. The maximum volume of the vessel to be extracted from the receptacle can also be determined by reference to the identifier or by the vessel having a standard volume. For example, if there is only 60000ml spirit in a hospitality venue, and there are 100 users who simultaneously tap the button "750ml" for dispensing the spirit, the system processor will disallow the controllers of the apparatuses to operate, or only allow the controllers to operate until 60000ml spirit has been dispensed, or only allow a proper subset of controllers to operate (whether the controllers selected randomly from the 100 controllers used by the 100 users, or by some other mechanism) that add up to a maximum of 60000ml. In the latter case, when a receptacle of a specific apparatus is empty, the system processor will prevent the controller of that specific apparatus from working, so that the pumps on that specific apparatus will not idle.

In some embodiments, the system processor is also able to notify of a need to order more of the fluid when the inventory level drops below a predetermined threshold. For example, if there is only 10000ml spirit in the receptacles in the same hospitality venue, the system processor will notify the users to order more of the fluid. The reason why the processor does not wait until all the receptacles are empty to notify the users is that the liquid producers may need time to produce and deliver the additional liquids, and leaving any of the receptacle empty can be detrimental to the stability of the supply chain. It will be appreciated that the system processor may automatically order more of the fluid based on the inventory level, and the efficiency of the supply chain would thus be enhanced by the absence of human intervention.

The system processor may be further configured to notify of an attempt to extract the fluid from a receptacle that could not be verified. In some other examples, the system processor may be further configured to notify of an attempt to extract the fluid to a container that could not be verified. The failure of verifying the receptacle/container may be due to the fact that the identifier does not satisfy at least one condition, and as a result the controller of that receptacle cannot be operated to extract fluid from the receptacle to the container. In some embodiments notifying of the attempt to extract the fluid from a receptacle that could not be verified further comprises reporting the reason why the receptacle cannot be verified. Such design allows the users of the system to solve the verification problem quickly, thus improving supply chain stability and error visibility.

In embodiments of the present invention, sensors, readers, the controller and processor can all be installed on a PCB. It will be appreciated that said PCB can be cooled by a plurality of cooling fans installed on the apparatus (e.g. 119 in Figures 1 and 2, 319 in Figure 3). Said cooling fans 119/319 may also be used to cool the receptacles or containers. The advantages of using the PCB is that it can hold a large number of components, and as a result the size of the apparatus can be reduced. The components can be charged by a battery 407 or through a Type-C charging port 401. Figure 4 shows an example PCB 400 with various components. In particular, the readers 404 (e.g. readers for reading said second identifier on the container) and 406 (e.g. readers for reading said first identifiers on the receptacles) may be used to check receptacle-related (or container-related) data which comprises the volume of the fluid in the receptacle/ container, the fluid type, the fluid temperature, as well as the fluid flow rate for dispensing. The lighting unit 408 on the PCB is a LED displaying part of the receptacle that is interested to the users of the beverage dispensing apparatus in a low light environment. An air pump 414 is configured to blow out leftover fluid in the flowmeter and dispensing tap (i.e., the fluid in a flow path from the receptacle to the container into which the fluid is dispensed), or provide atmosphere pressure for the beverage to flow out of the receptacle through the liquid intake tube to a liquid pump 416. The liquid pump 416 may be used to drive the beverage to the dispenser. A liquid sensor 410 is also installed on the PCB to check the fluid type/temperature of the fluid. A flowmeter 412 is used for detecting the fluid flow rate for dispensing as well as the extracted volumes of the fluid. It will be appreciated that other sensors for sensing the type of the fluid and the receptacle/ container itself may also be installed.

Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an exemplary computer device 500, in which embodiments of the invention may be practiced. The computer device 500 can be installed on the PCB 402. The computer device 500 may be a mobile computer device such as a smart phone, a wearable device, a palm-top computer, and multimedia Internet enabled cellular telephones, an on-board computing system or any other computing system, a mobile device such as an iPhone TM manufactured by AppleTM, Inc or one manufactured by LGTM, HTCTM and SamsungTM, for example, or other device.

As shown, the mobile computer device 500 includes the following components in electronic communication via a bus 506:

(a) a display 502;

(b) non-volatile (non-transitory) memory 504; (c) random access memory ("RAM") 508;

(d) N processing components 510;

(e) a transceiver component 512 that includes N transceivers; and

(f) user controls 514.

Although the components depicted in Figure 5 represent physical components, Figure 5 is not intended to be a hardware diagram. Thus, many of the components depicted in Figure 5 may be realized by common constructs or distributed among additional physical components. Moreover, it is certainly contemplated that other existing and yet-to-be developed physical components and architectures may be utilized to implement the functional components described with reference to Figure 5.

The display 502 generally operates to provide a presentation of content to a user, and may be realized by any of a variety of displays (e.g., CRT, LCD, HDMI, micro-projector and OLED displays).

In general, the non-volatile data storage 504 (also referred to as non-volatile memory) functions to store (e.g., persistently store) data and executable code. The system architecture may be implemented in memory 504, or by instructions stored in memory 504.

In some embodiments for example, the non-volatile memory 504 includes bootloader code, modem software, operating system code, file system code, and code to facilitate the implementation components, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, which are not depicted nor described for simplicity.

In many implementations, the non-volatile memory 504 is realized by flash memory (e.g., NAND or ONENAND memory), but it is certainly contemplated that other memory types may be utilized as well. Although it may be possible to execute the code from the non-volatile memory 504, the executable code in the non-volatile memory 504 is typically loaded into RAM 508 and executed by one or more of the N processing components 510.

The N processing components 510 in connection with RAM 508 generally operate to execute the instructions stored in non-volatile memory 504. As one of ordinarily skill in the art will appreciate, the N processing components 510 may include a video processor, modem processor, DSP, graphics processing unit (GPU), and other processing components.

The transceiver component 512 includes N transceiver chains, which may be used for communicating with external devices via wireless networks. Each of the N transceiver chains may represent a transceiver associated with a particular communication scheme. For example, each transceiver may correspond to protocols that are specific to local area networks, cellular networks (e.g., a CDMA network, a GPRS network, a UMTS networks), and other types of communication networks.

The system 500 of Figure 5 may be connected to any appliance 418, such as one or more cameras mounted to the vehicle, a speedometer, a weather service for updating local context, or an external database from which context can be acquired.

It should be recognized that Figure 5 is merely exemplary and in one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code encoded on a non-transitory computer-readable medium 504. Non-transitory computer-readable medium 504 includes both computer storage medium and communication medium including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer.

Figure 6 illustrates an example supply chain management system 600 for the proposed beverage dispensing apparatus. As shown in Figure 6, the beverage dispensing apparatus 602 is associated with a plurality of replaceable fluid receptacles 604, 606, 608, 610, and 612. The beverage dispensing apparatus 602 is also connected to a server 614, which can be controlled by a computer device (e.g. an APP 616 on a mobile phone). Initially, the replaceable fluid receptacles 604 and 606 are installed inside the apparatus 602. In one example, if the volume of the spirit in the receptacle 604 or 606 is below a predetermined value (e.g. less than 100ml), the apparatus 602 will send a signal to the server through a Wi-Fi module 130, which will then notify the users to order more of the fluid. The users can use the APP 616 to control the server so as to replace the receptacle 604/606 with another receptacle full of fluid (i.e., one or more of the receptacle 608, 610, or 612). The apparatus 602 can monitor the volume of the fluid from the receptacles enclosed in it as well as the consumption of beverage in the hospitality venue so as to decide whether or not certain actions should be taken in order to ensure supply chain stability and efficiency. The data reporting/recording features are valuable to the users of the apparatus as the sustainability impact of the closed loop and circular packing system.

It will be appreciated that many further modifications and permutations of various aspects of the described embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described aspects are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

Claims:

1. A beverage dispensing apparatus comprising: a body for engaging a plurality of replaceable fluid receptacles; an extraction assembly for performing an extraction process by extracting fluid from the receptacles; a controller comprising two or more volume selectors for controlling extraction, by the extraction assembly, of a respective volume of the fluid from the receptacles; a dispenser assembly for dispensing the fluid, extracted by the extraction assembly, into a container; and a reader system for reading a plurality of first identifiers each on a respective receptacle and a second identifier on the container, wherein a processor is configured to: receive, from the reader system, data comprising the first identifiers and the second identifier; verify each first identifier based on one or more first conditions; and verify the second identifier based on one or more second conditions, wherein if the second identifier satisfies the one or more second conditions and at least one said first identifier satisfies the one or more first conditions, the processor is configured to determine one or more potential receptacles each having a corresponding first identifier that satisfies the one or more first conditions, and the controller is operable to control extraction of the fluid from said one or more potential receptacles, and wherein if the first identifiers do not satisfy at least one said first condition and/or if the second identifier does not satisfy at least one said second condition, the controller cannot be operated to extract fluid from the receptacles.

2. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body is a housing that substantially encloses the receptacles.

3. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the housing comprises a window through which part of each receptacle is visible. The beverage dispensing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the housing comprises a lighting unit in the window configured to illuminate the part of each receptacle. The beverage dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the processor is in communication with memory, wherein data corresponding to an extracted volume of the fluid is stored in the memory. The beverage dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the memory is configured to store time/date of each extraction process. The beverage dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each first identifier is configured to identify both a type of the fluid in the respective receptacle and the respective receptacle itself, wherein the second identifier is configured to identify a type of the container itself. The beverage dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the processor is configured to monitor a volume of fluid in the container and: notify when one or more of the receptacles are empty; and disallow more than a total volume of the container to be dispensed into the container. The beverage dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8 further comprising a battery for powering the apparatus. The beverage dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises the processor. The beverage dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the reader system comprises a plurality of NFC readers. The beverage dispensing apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the plurality of receptacles contain two or more types of fluids, the processor being configured to: record all dispensing/extraction processes over all the potential receptacles; and for each type of fluid: determine an inventory level based on a combined volume of the type fluid in the receptacles; and notify of a need to order more of the type of fluid when the inventory level drops below a predetermined threshold. A system comprising : a plurality of the beverage dispensing apparatuses according to any one of claims 1 to 12; memory; and a system processor configured to: record all dispensing/extraction processes over all the apparatuses; determine an overall inventory level based on combined volumes of fluid in the receptacles in the plurality of apparatuses; and notify of a need to order more of the fluid when the inventory level drops below a predetermined threshold. The system of claim 13, wherein the system processor is further configured to notify of an attempt to extract fluid from a receptacle/ container that could not be verified. The system of any one of claims 11 or 14, wherein the beverage dispensing apparatuses are configured to communicate wirelessly with the system processor.