Abstract: New valves to allow or prevent material flow through a conduit are disclosed. Such valves comprise a valve seat having a longitudinal axis, defining a through opening and including a seating surface which defines a portion of the through opening. A valve body, operatively coupled to the valve seat, is located at least partially in the through opening. A valve element is secured to and movable relative to the valve body. The valve element includes a sealing surface which is curved in at least one plane parallel to and including the longitudinal axis of the valve seat and is adapted to contact the seating surface to prevent material flow through the through opening. Pump assemblies and condiment dispensing systems employing such valves are also disclosed.

Abstract: New valves to allow or prevent material flow through a conduit are disclosed. Such valves comprise a valve seat having a longitudinal axis, defining a through opening and including a seating surface which defines a portion of the through opening. A valve body, operatively coupled to the valve seat, is located at least partially in the through opening. A valve element is secured to and movable relative to the valve body. The valve element includes a sealing surface which is curved in at least one plane parallel to and including the longitudinal axis of the valve seat and is adapted to contact the seating surface to prevent material flow through the through opening. Pump assemblies and condiment dispensing systems employing such valves are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting first and second conductors of a cable to first and second electrically conductive leads comprising first and second connector members with each of the connector members including a connector body and first and second conductive members carried by the connector body. Each of the conductive members has a terminal. The conductive members of the first connector member are coupled to the first and second leads, respectively and the conductive members of the second connector member can be coupled to the conductors of the cable, respectively. A flexible, elastic inner sleeve snugly receives a proximal region of the connector body of the second connector member and a distal region of the cable. A flexible outer sleeve, which is less flexible than the inner sleeve, snugly receives the inner sleeve. The connector bodies have a projection and recess so that they can be interconnected to place the terminals in electrical contact.

Abstract: A liquid storage system comprising a flexible, closed and freely expandable reservoir for storing liquid medium-containing material. A supply conduit conducts liquid, for example, from a reverse osmosis module, to the reservoir to expand the reservoir. A control valve is movable between an open position in which the control valve allows liquid to flow through the supply conduit to the reservoir and a closed position in which the valve blocks flow of liquid through the supply conduit to the reservoir. A discharge conduit is provided for delivering liquid from the reservoir, and a pump may be used for pumping the liquid from the reservoir through the discharge conduit. The control valve is controlled by a level sensor operable by expansion of the reservoir.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system comprising a collapsible container, a dispensing head, a conduit leading from the container to the dispensing head and a pump for pumping liquid from the container through the conduit to the dispensing head. A vacuum switch is responsive to a sharp increase in the vacuum on the intake side of the pump to shut the pump off. The pump is controlled by a pressure switch which is responsive to the pressure of the liquid pumped by the pump. A bypass is provided for bypassing liquid in response to a predetermined pressure in the pumping chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a fluid medium comprising a positive displacement member movable to move the fluid medium and a drive mechanism adapted to be driven by a motor for driving the positive displacement member to move the fluid medium. The drive mechanism includes a wobble plate coupled to the positive displacement member for driving the positive displacement member. The drive mechanism is responsive to back pressure on the positive displacement member for adjusting the angle of the wobble plate to thereby change the volume of the fluid medium movable by the positive displacement member.

Abstract: A pump comprising a supporting structure including a bearing support, a wobble plate, a bearing between the bearing support and the wobble plate for permitting the wobble plate to nutate and for transmitting radial loads from the wobble plate to the bearing support, a cam rotatably mounted on the supporting structure for causing the wobble plate to nutate, and a mechanism for drivingly coupling the cam to a shaft of a motor. Radial loads are transmitted by the bearing to the supporting structure rather than to the cam. The wobble plate is coupled to a suitable output device such as the diaphragm of a diaphragm pump.

Abstract: A pressure switch comprising a housing and a movable pressure responsive diaphragm in the housing cooperating therewith to define a sensing chamber. The housing has an inlet passage leading to the sensing chamber and a vent passage leading from the sensing chamber. A check valve allows fluid to flow through the inlet passage into the sensing chamber and prevents flow through the inlet passage in the reverse direction. A pressure relief valve at least partially vents the sensing chamber through the outlet passage in response to the differential pressure across the pressure relief valve reaching about a predetermined magnitude. At least a portion of the diaphragm is movable along a path in response to pressure changes in the sensing chamber and an actuator is carried by the movable portion of the diaphragm. A switch is mounted on the housing in a position to be actuated by the movement of the actuator.