Abstract: Cell (19) for measuring moisture content of a material, comprising a sock (13) which is comprised of a plurality of braided threads, each thread consisting of a plurality of fibers comprised of an electrically non-conductive material. The sock is perfused with a moisture absorbing fluid. The sock comprises at least two electrodes (15, 17) in the form of wires comprised of a conducting material. These electrodes are braided as longitudinal threads in the sock (13). The electrodes are spaced from each other and extend essentially parallel to each other, the sock (13) being braided around a cylindrical core (11) comprised of an electrically non-conducting material. The axis of the core is essentially parallel to the electrodes (15, 17) and the threads in the sock (13) are permanently under tension to achieve contact between the threads and the electrodes (15, 17).

Abstract: A device for sensing the number of items (14) consecutively disposed in a compartment (12), preferable bottles or cans disposed in a beverage magazine (13) in a refrigerator (10). At each item (14) at opposite sides of said item electric conducting areas (20a,b,c;21a,b,c) are provided which form a capacitor (22a,b,c). The capacitors formed in each compartment are interconnected to form a circuit (C.sub.k) the capacitance of which depends on the number of items (14) in the compartment (12).