Universal monitor for collecting data on consumable products

A universal self-contained monitor for collecting data on consumer consumption of dispensable products, which monitor comprises:

• a supporting member capable of supporting a dispensable product, said dispensable product being dispensable by portions, said dispensable product having a product weight;
• a weight sensor in operative communication with said supporting member for measuring an absolute value of said product weight as said portions of said dispensable product are removed therefrom;
• a recorder in communication with said weight sensor for receiving and recording said absolute value of said product weight;
• and
• a current weight baseline, said monitor being capable of adjusting said current weight baseline to compensate for changes in said product weight, which changes are not associated with removal of said portions from said dispensable product.

A process for collecting data on consumer consumption of dispensable products, which process comprises:

• (a) providing a dispensable product having a product weight and being dispensable by portions, each portion having a portion weight and being removable from said product, said product being selected from the group consisting of liquids, powders, pads, bars, granular products, snacks, and pasty products;
• (b) providing a universal monitor comprising a supporting member capable of supporting said dispensable product, a weight sensor in operative communication with said supporting member for measuring said product weight as said portions of said dispensable product are removed therefrom, and a recorder in communication with said weight sensor for receiving and recording said product weight;
• (c) installing said product such that said product is supported by said supporting member of said universal monitor;
• and
• (d) dispensing said product by portions thereby changing said product weight and causing said universal monitor to measure and record said product weight.