What is claimed is:
1. A direct methanol fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell main body comprising an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte membrane provided between the anode and the cathode, and a feed tank containing a methanol-containing liquid fuel to be fed to the anode;
a first liquid fuel storage tank which contains a methanol-containing liquid fuel to be supplied into the feed tank;
a second liquid fuel storage tank which contains a methanol-containing liquid fuel to be supplied into the first liquid fuel storage tank; and
a liquid level change detecting mechanism which detects changes in the level of the liquid fuel stored in the first liquid fuel storage tank.
2. A direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid fuel storage tank is attachable todetachable from the fuel cell main body.
3. A direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the second liquid fuel storage tank is attachable todetachable from the first liquid fuel storage tank.
4. A direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the liquid level change detecting mechanism detects decreases in the level of the liquid fuel in the first liquid fuel storage tank.
5. A direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 1, wherein the liquid level change detecting mechanism comprises a binary sensor.
6. A direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 5, wherein the binary sensor is provided in an upper inner wall face of the first liquid fuel storage tank.
7. A direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 6, wherein the binary sensor is activated when the surface of the liquid fuel in the first liquid fuel storage tank falls to a set level.
8. A portable electronic appliance comprising a direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 1.
9. A direct methanol fuel cell system comprising:
a fuel cell main body comprising an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte membrane provided between the anode and the cathode, and a feed tank containing a methanol-containing liquid fuel to be fed to the anode;
a storage tank comprising a first liquid fuel storage section which contains a methanol-containing liquid fuel to be supplied into the feed tank, and a second liquid fuel storage section which contains a methanol-containing liquid fuel to be supplied into the first liquid fuel storage section; and
a liquid level change detecting mechanism which detects changes in the level of the liquid fuel stored in the first liquid fuel storage section.
10. A direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 9, wherein the storage tank is attachable todetachable from the fuel cell main body.
11. A direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 9, wherein the liquid level change detecting mechanism comprises a binary sensor.
12. A direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 11, wherein the binary sensor is provided in an upper inner wall face of the first liquid fuel storage section.
13. A portable electronic appliance comprising a direct methanol fuel cell system according to claim 9.
14. A method of detecting an amount of liquid fuel remaining in a direct methanol fuel cell system that comprises a fuel cell main body comprising an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte membrane provided between the anode and the cathode, and a feed tank containing a methanol-containing liquid fuel to be fed to the anode, the direct methanol fuel cell system further comprising a first liquid fuel storage tank which contains a methanol-containing liquid fuel to be supplied into the feed tank, and a second liquid fuel storage tank which contains a methanol-containing liquid fuel to be supplied into the first liquid fuel storage tank, said method comprising:
detecting an amount of the liquid fuel stored in the second liquid fuel storage tank, from changes in the level of the liquid fuel stored in the first liquid fuel storage tank.
15. A method of detecting an amount of liquid fuel according to claim 14, wherein said detecting is performed after the liquid fuel is supplied from the second liquid fuel storage tank into the first liquid fuel storage tank.
16. A method of detecting an amount of liquid fuel according to claim 15, wherein it is determined that the liquid fuel is insufficient in the second liquid fuel tank, when the surface of the liquid fuel stored in the first liquid fuel tank falls to a set level.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1-88. (canceled)
89. A beverage comprising at least one phytosterol, at least one phytostanol, esters thereof or combinations thereof;
rebaudioside A; and
erythritol, wherein:
the rebaudioside A has a purity greater than about 80% by weight on a dry basis and
the weight ratio of rebaudioside A to erythritol is from about 1:4 to about 1:800.
90. The beverage of claim 89, wherein the rebaudioside A has a purity greater than about 90% by weight on a dry basis.
91. The beverage of claim 89, wherein the rebaudioside A has a purity greater than about 95% by weight on a dry basis.
92. The beverage of claim 89, wherein the rebaudioside A has a purity greater than about 97% by weight on a dry basis.
93. The beverage of claim 89, wherein the weight ratio of rebaudioside A to erythritol is from about 1:20 to about 1:600.
94. The beverage of claim 89, wherein the weight ratio of rebaudioside A to erythritol is from about 1:50 to about 1:300.
95. The beverage of claim 89, wherein the weight ratio of rebaudioside A to erythritol is from about 1:75 to about 1:150.
96. The beverage of claim 89, wherein the phytosterol is selected from the group consisting of \u03b2-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol, brassicasterol, 22-dehydrobrassicasterol, \u03945-avenasterol, 4-monomethyl sterols, 4,4-dimethyl sterols, esters thereof and combinations thereof.
97. The beverage of claim 89, wherein the phytostanol is selected from the group consisting of \u03b2-sitostanol, campestanol, cycloartanol, esters thereof and combinations thereof.
98. The beverage of claim 89, wherein the beverage is selected from the group consisting of a noncarbonated beverage, carbonated beverage, cola, root beer, fruit-flavored beverage, citrus-flavored beverage, fruit juice, fruit-containing beverage, vegetable juice, vegetable containing beverage, tea, coffee, dairy beverage, sports drink, energy drink, and flavored water.
99. The beverage of claim 98, wherein the beverage is a sports drink.
100. The beverage of claim 89, further comprising at least one sweet taste improving composition selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, amino acids and their corresponding salts, polyamino acids and their corresponding salts, sugar acids and their corresponding salts, organic acids, inorganic acids, organic salts, inorganic salts, bitter compounds, flavorants, astringent compounds, polymers, proteins, protein hydrolysates, surfactants, emulsifiers, flavonoids, alcohols, synthetic sweeteners and combinations thereof.
101. The beverage of claim 89, wherein the beverage comprises a citric acidpotassium citrate composition.
102. A beverage comprising at least one phytosterol, at least one phytostanol, esters thereof or combinations thereof;
rebaudioside A; and
erythritol, wherein:
the rebaudioside A has a purity greater than about 95% by weight on a dry basis;
the weight ratio of rebaudioside A to erythritol is from about 1:4 to about 1:800;
the phytosterol is selected from the group consisting of \u03b2-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, ergosterol, brassicasterol, 22-dehydrobrassicasterol, \u03945-avenasterol, 4-monomethyl sterols, 4,4-dimethyl sterols, esters thereof and combinations thereof; and
the phytostanol is selected from the group consisting of \u03b2-sitostanol, campestanol, cycloartanol, esters thereof and combinations thereof.