Abstract: A material dispensing assembly (100) and method of operation is disclosed for converting a portable cartridge dispensing tool to a bag-type dispensing tool. The assembly comprises a single piece piston (110) for advancing material though a material housing (104), the single piece piston (110) includes a substantially square-shaped receptacle (140). The assembly further comprises a square shaped drive rack (112) for attaching to the piston (110) at the substantially square-shaped receptacle (140) at a connection end (128). The drive rack (112) further comprises a plurality of teeth (142) located thereon. The assembly (100) further has a support (127) with a substantially square profile for receiving and supporting the drive rack (112) during operation such that the construct of the drive rack and piston (110) are prevented from rotating during operation.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a volume of viscous material on a substrate includes a frame, a gantry system coupled to the frame, and a dispenser unit coupled to the gantry system. The dispenser unit includes a housing having a chamber, and a piston disposed in the chamber. The piston has an elongate body and is configured to move between a pre-dispense position and a dispense position within the chamber. The dispenser unit further includes a motor to drive the movement of the piston within the chamber. The motor includes a rotating shaft, a wheel coupled to the rotating shaft, the wheel having at least one drive magnet, and a driven magnet disposed between wheel and the piston. The dispenser further includes a nozzle coupled to the housing. The nozzle has an orifice to dispense viscous material. Other embodiments of the dispenser and methods of dispensing are further disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of mixing and dispensing viscous materials, comprising the steps of: inserting a cartridge containing one or more viscous materials in a chamber; activating a first motor (1) to move a plunger from a first position to a second position within the cartridge and activating a second motor (2) to move the plunger from the second position further within the cartridge to dispense the material.

Abstract: An integrated design for dispensing lubricants and similar fluids from bulk containers incorporates a dispense valve (8), a meter (1), a hose (7), a DC powered electric pump (2), power cord (18) and adjustable fluid suction tube (5), all packaged in one portable unit The unit is capable of dispensing fluids such as standard SAE grade automotive motor oils, automatic transmission fluid, gear lube, hydraulic oil and engine coolant (antifreeze) The pump motor will shut down at completion of dispense; and emergency shut-off to be provided.

Abstract: An ice storage container is provided that is capable of separating ice cubes that have been frozen together and maintaining the separated state for dispensing through a dispensing apparatus provided in a refrigerator or a water purifier. The ice storage container may include a case main body forming an ice storage space therein and having an ice discharge port formed at a lower portion thereof, an ice ejector rotatably installed in the case main body and having a motor rotation shaft, a blade mounting shaft, and a plurality of blades protruding radially from the blade mounting shaft, and an ice separating device coupled to the ice ejector to separate ice cubes that have been frozen together in the ice storage bin due to an extended storage period, and/or to maintain the separated state of the ice cubes in the ice storage container.

Abstract: An electric or battery powered dispenser comprising a multi-mode motor control system comprising a plurality of different user selected dispensing control modes for dispensing a wide variety of semi-soft materials. The powered dispenser is held in one hand and dispenses the material in accordance with a user selected one of the plurality of different user selected dispensing control modes. The powered dispenser features a quick-change cartridge system, which allows the user to quickly and easily change cartridges, which can be refilled or pre-filled with the material of the user's choice, without having to clean out the barrel. The dispenser can be used in many applications such as cake decorating, craft applications, woodworking, and construction.

Abstract: A sprayer and a releasable bottle are provided. The sprayer includes a main housing having a pump and a nozzle coupled in a material flow path. The housing further includes a bottle receptacle and a bottle adapter, which is fluidically coupled to the material flow path and has a lower, sealing surface and a lower fitting. An adapter spring applies a downward displacement force to the bottle adapter. The bottle is insertable into the bottle receptacle through an opening in the receptacle and has a top, which engages the lower sealing surface when inserted fully into the receptacle. The bottle includes a tube adapter that mates with the lower fitting and is coupled to a tube carried within the bottle. A latch retains the bottle in the receptacle in a latched state and releases the bottle from the receptacle in a released state.

Abstract: A lubricant dispenser and an electrical tool. The dispenser includes a housing; a reservoir for containing lubricant; a pump assembly operable to pump lubricant; and a purge assembly including a channel defined by the housing and extending between the reservoir and atmosphere, at least a portion of the channel extending along a channel axis through an opening in the housing and to atmosphere, and a plunger slidable along a plunger axis between a sealed position, in which the reservoir is isolated from atmosphere, and an open position, in which the reservoir is in fluid communication with atmosphere, the plunger axis extending at an angle with respect to the channel axis. The purge assembly may include a biasing member operable to bias the plunger toward the sealed position. The tool may be a dispenser and may include a motor supported by the housing; a trigger; and a trigger lock assembly.

Abstract: A pump device with a base for inserting into a top of a bottle and a straw disposed on a second end of the base and extending into the bottle. The straw serves as a conduit for liquid in the bottle to travel to the base. A button is slidably disposed in the base for operating an electric pump disposed in the base and can move between a first position and a second position. Movement of the button to the second position causes activation of the electric pump. A pump extension component is disposed on the button and is fluidly connected to the base conduit to serve as a conduit for the liquid to travel out of the pump device. The pump extension component is adjustable in length.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic liquid/foam dispenser with a deactivation means that allows cleaning/maintenance of the nozzle and sink without the dispenser dispensing the liquid/foam during cleaning/maintenance.

Abstract: A device for controlling displacement of a syringe piston comprises a handheld casing, first and second engagement means. The first engagement means is formed exteriorly of the casing to engage the syringe's finger flange. The second engagement means slides on a first axis relative to the casing and engages the thumb rest. The device comprises means within the casing to cause the second engagement means to move along the first axis, causing the piston to move outwardly. An electronic controller module for controlling outward movement of the piston comprises an input/output port and a processor module. The processor module determines a prescribed movement speed and sends a motor command via the port at an initial motor speed. The motor causes the outward movement. The port receives speed measurements. The processor module attempts to match the measurements to a prescribed speed by sending successive motor commands via the port.

Abstract: A dispensing device may include a main body including a wall having a dispensing mouth defined in the wall; a storage portion, wherein the storage portion is retained by the main body; and a conveyance path providing communication between the storage portion and the dispensing mouth. In addition, the dispensing device may include a conveyor disposed in the conveyance path; a drive motor mechanically coupled to the conveyor; and a sensor, wherein the sensor is directly or indirectly electrically coupled to the drive motor and the sensor is in optical communication with the environment proximate to the dispensing mouth.

Abstract: A powder-metering apparatus (1) for dispensing measured doses of a powder into a receiving container has a handling and positioning device (2) with a handling arm (3) designed to handle a metering device (4, 4a, 4b, 4c). The metering device has a reservoir container (31, 31a, 31b, 31c) with a metering head (32, 32a, 32b, 32c) which has a discharge orifice (5, 6) and a flow-control element (34, 35, 36). The flow-control element controls the rate at which powder leaves the discharge orifice. The powder-metering apparatus is equipped with an impact device (11, 111) adapted to shock the metering device with upward-directed force pulses of high intensity and short duration.

Abstract: Personal care product dispenser systems include a dispenser and a base station. The dispenser comprises a casing including a personal care product and a shaft. The personal care product is disposed within the casing and comprises an antiperspirant or deodorant. The shaft extends through a portion of the casing and including a first end and a second end and is configured to advance the personal care product through the casing when rotated in a first direction. The second end has a chuck contact surface defining a first shape. The base station includes a motor and a chuck. The motor is operatively coupled to the chuck and is configured to rotate the chuck, and the chuck has a wheel contact surface to correspond to the first shape of the chuck contact surface. The base station is configured to rotate the chuck when the dispenser is mounted to the base station.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material is provided having a body portion and housing for supporting cartridges filled with materials for dispensing. The housing includes a dispensing end, an attachment end, and an elongated opening for receiving the cartridges. The apparatus further comprises an attachment assembly located at an end of the body portion for attaching the housing to the body portion. The attachment assembly includes a first set of threads located about the perimeter of the attachment assembly. A second set of threads are located about the perimeter of the attachment end of the housing for engaging the first set of threads, forming a threaded connection and attaching the housing to the body portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and controlling motor current during a dispensing of material from a dispensing tool (10) is provided, including a method for measuring the motor current of the dispensing tool during operation through a motor controller (U2). The method further includes sending a feedback signal from the motor controller (U2) relating to the measured motor current to an input of a microcontroller (U1) that is adapted to a dispensing tool (10). The feedback signal is compared to a prescribed threshold and the motor current is conditioned based on the comparing of the feedback signal to the prescribed threshold.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser for dispensing a liquid from a liquid storage container operably associated with the liquid dispenser. Preferably, the liquid dispenser includes a main housing having a dispensing location at which liquid from a liquid storage container is dispensed and a storage location for storing a liquid storage container. Preferably, the liquid dispenser includes a removable liquid transport assembly removable from the main housing having a substantially rigid liquid manifold, a valve assembly, a riser tube, a reservoir, a reservoir dip tube, a pump head, a pinch tube and a dispensing nozzle that are removable as a single unit from the main housing. Preferably, the liquid dispenser includes a single self-priming pump. Preferably, the valve assembly includes a non-return valve and a pressure relief valve that act in concert to control the flow of liquid between the liquid storage container and the reservoir.

Abstract: An electrical caulking gun has a gun body and a clutching device. The clutching device has a clutching switch, a linking lever, a clutching block and a block spring. The clutching switch is mounted on the gun body and has a pressed segment and a pushing segment having an inclined pushing surface. The linking lever is pivotally mounted in the gun body and has an abutting end and a pushing end. The abutting end abuts with the pushing surface of the clutching switch. The clutching block has an inclined pushed surface and an engaging rod. The engaging rod detachably engages a transmission device of the caulking gun. The block spring provides a force to push the engaging rod on the clutching block to engage the transmission device.

Abstract: A device for delivering fluid, having an elongated outer casing (10) provided with a substantially cylindrical inner chamber (11); an inner cartridge (20), for insertion into the inner chamber (11) and including a plunger (21) movable axially along a longitudinal axis A-A of an inner reservoir (22) towards an outlet (28). The device also includes a coil assembly (12, 23, 24) having an outer coil (12), an inner coil (23) and an inner coil core (24). The outer coil (12) is provided on the outer casing (10) and axially oriented along the chamber longitudinal axis. And, the inner coil (23) is provided in the inner cartridge (20) attached to the movable plunger (21). The invention also relates to the corresponding method for delivering fluid.

Abstract: A pumping device including a housing whose front face is at least partly formed by a block of transparent material, this block containing a number of machine-drilled holes including at least one blind hole forming a work chamber, at least one hole forming an admission and/or exhaust channel leading into the blind hole, two through channels whose orifices on the front face of the block are fitted with hydraulic hose connection means, two solenoid valves, a plunger sliding leaktightly in a bearing fitted to the orifice of the blind hole, this plunger defining with the blind hole a volume that varies as a function of the axial position of the plunger, and a module connected to the base of the plunger for moving the plunger translationally. The pumping device can be used for pipetting, dilution, rinsing and/or dispensing of samples, regardless of the envisaged volume ranges.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved handheld sprayer structure comprising an electric sprayer and a liquid container. The liquid container is filled with an appropriate amount of liquid, and this device is held by a hand, and a press button is pressed to trigger a start switch, such that a drive gear installed on a motor transmission shaft drives a plurality of wheels installed on a large gear to compress a hose to produce a suction, so as to suck the liquid in the liquid container upward, and spray the appropriate amount of liquid continuously and steadily from a spray head.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a pesticidal bait with an electrically powered dispensing device is provided. A fluid dispensing device and system provides the user the ability to deposit controlled and precise amounts of a substance in specific target areas with capacity to record and transfer the information for diverse user defined purposes. The substance dispensed by the device can easily be deposited into desired locations. Viewing of the dispensed material and its location is enhanced with the aid of a light source if there is not sufficient light available to see adequately.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for generating a multi-component compound, in particular for dental purposes, comprising: —At least two cartridges (3), each cartridge (3) adapted for containing a component (4) of the multi-component compound and having a plunger (2) adapted for pressing out its component (4) from the cartridge (3); and—a driving device for said plungers (2) in which the driving speed is adjustable, wherein the driving device comprises a stepping motor (1), and a detector associated with the stepping motor for detecting at least one of a) the steps of the stepping motor and b) The load on the stepping motor. At low revolutions per minute, the stepping motor (1) offers higher torque as compared with the known DC motors, whereas it also offers high revolutions per minute, although with comparatively low torque, sufficient for rapid advance and retraction of the plungers (2).

Abstract: An automatic dispensing apparatus for dispensing hand-sanitizer lotion, which is powered using a rechargeable battery pack rechargeable via solar cells, which battery pack is pivotally mounted in the upper interior section of the main frame of the dispenser, above the liquid-storage bag, whereby as the liquid storage bag is depleted after continual use, the weight of the battery pack serves to compress the storage bag to thereby increase the pressure therein, so that the delay of the dispensing of the liquid does not increase over time as the bag becomes depleted. Also provided is a lower, pivotal tray located below the dispensing nozzle of the dispensing apparatus by which drippings and excess dispensed amounts are caught by the tray and do not fall upon the floor therebelow. A front cover is rotatable to an upper position such that it does not rotate back down by itself in order to allow unencumbered access to the interior of the apparatus for changing storage bags and batteries.

Abstract: A foam dispensing device creates and dispenses foam from a source of liquid. The device employs a mixing chamber upstream of a unit of porous material and an outlet. When activated, a single motor powers a liquid pump and an air pump. The liquid pump transports liquid from a source to the mixing chamber. The air pump propels air through the mixing chamber wherein the air becomes pressurized. The liquid and air mix within in the mixing chamber. The liquid-air mixture is propelled through the porous material by the flow of air, creating a foam that is dispensed from the outlet.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device includes a pressurizing device coupled between a fluid bottle and a discharge tube for forcing the fluid to flow through the discharge tube without gravity, the pressurizing device includes a container having an inclined inner peripheral surface, and a piston slidably received in the container and having an outer peripheral portion for selectively engaging with the inclined inner peripheral surface of the container in order to pump the fluid into the discharge tube when the piston is moved toward the discharge tube with a coil, and for being selectively disengaged from the inner peripheral surface of the container when the piston is moved away from the discharge tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressing structure of a soap dispenser for adjusting an output amount of the soap by adjusting the distance of a pressing stroke thereof. The pressing structure includes a rejecting member, a driving device, and a moving member, wherein the driving device is connected to the moving member through a transmission mechanism, and the rejecting member includes a connecting portion linked with the moving member, and a pressing plate against a pressing head of a liquid container, characterized in that the rejecting member further includes a retractable portion used for adjusting the vertical distance between the connecting portion and the pressing plate. Accordingly, through adjusting the vertical distance by the retractable portion, the vertical moving distance of a pressing head of a liquid container achieved by the pressing plate can therefore be decided, so as to output a suitable amount of soap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dispenser for discharging a highly viscous fluid which possesses a viscosity ranging from 10 to 1,000 Pa·s at 25° C. and contains filler particles, the dispenser comprising: (i) a highly viscous fluid-supply part (A) equipped with a container (3) containing said highly viscous fluid (M) and possessing an outlet (3a) of said highly viscous fluid, a plunger (2) capable of discharging said highly viscous fluid from said outlet by pressing said highly viscous fluid contained in said container, and a servomotor (4) driving said plunger; and (ii) a highly viscous fluid-discharge part (B) equipped with a pipe (7) arranged for delivering said highly viscous fluid discharged from said outlet, an openable and closable valve (8) connected to said pipe, and a discharge port (9) for discharging said highly viscous fluid.

Abstract: An ice dispenser includes an ice storage bin with a drive shaft aperture and an ice dispensing aperture; an ice dispensing chute connected to the storage bin in proximity to the ice dispensing aperture; a paddlewheel inside the storage bin; and a drive mechanism, including a drive shaft passing through tile drive shaft aperture, for rotation of the paddlewheel. The drive shaft is connected to tile paddlewheel in such a fashion that the paddlewheel is prevented from disengaging from the drive shaft during normal operation of the ice dispensing apparatus, but the drive shaft can be disengaged from the paddlewheel in order to be able to remove the drive mechanism from the ice dispenser without accessing the ice storage bin.

Abstract: A motion transmitting drive chain (drive chain) is prevented from buckling by applying a relatively small compressive bias force to one side of the pins around which the chain links rotate. The bias force is applied on the locking projection side of the pins axes of rotation such that the links are urged to rotate in the direction required to lock them against each other.

Abstract: A coating apparatus for serially coating workpieces with different shades or colors is disclosed. A metering device comprises a plunger-type dosing mechanism or a metering pump that has a separate inlet with an integrated color valve for each of the most commonly used colors is located in or near the sprayer of the coating apparatus. A separate color changer can be provided for less frequently used colors. The outlet of said color changer may be connected to another inlet of the metering mechanism or to the discharge valve of the sprayer via a separate metering mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a device for quantitatively supplying a liquid in a plasma sterilization system. The device includes a quantitative cylinder, a quantitative piston and a quantitative basket. The quantitative cylinder includes a quantitative inlet pipe, which is configured such that the outlet of a liquid container is inserted thereinto, and a liquid in the liquid container is vertically supplied to the quantitative cylinder, and a quantitative outlet pipe, which is configured such that the liquid is vertically drained from the quantitative cylinder. The quantitative piston is configured to rectilinearly reciprocate in the quantitative cylinder, and is provided with a quantitative transfer depression, which is formed in the leading end thereof to a predetermined depth. The quantitative basket is configured to quantitatively receive the liquid according to the rectilinear reciprocation of the quantitative piston.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide dispensers, and particularly automatic dispensers, and even more particularly, automatic soap dispensers for dispensing a foamed soap or another cleaning or antibacterial substance to a user's hands. The dispensers provide an internal working system that allows soap or foam to be dispensed from an inverted bottle via movement of an actuator.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a pump that, upon actuation, progresses through a discrete dispense cycle to dispense a discrete dose of product. The dispenser further includes an actuating mechanism serving to actuate the pump, and a dispenser controller that controls operation of the actuation mechanism. The discrete dose is less than a desired dose. When the dispenser controller receives a single dispense request, the dispenser controller causes the actuating mechanism to actuate the pump through multiple discrete dispense cycles so as to dispense multiple discrete doses to achieve a dispensing of the desired dose.

Abstract: A soap dispenser can be configured to dispense an amount of liquid soap, for example, upon detecting the presence of an object. Certain embodiments of the dispenser include a housing, reservoir, pump, and nozzle. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes a bypass passage, which can facilitate priming of the pump. In certain embodiments, the dispenser is configured to inhibit or avoid the formation of an air bubble that could obstruct the liquid soap from entering the pump. In some embodiments, the pump includes engaging gears, which can include a plurality of teeth with substantially pointed tips. In certain embodiments, the nozzle comprises a one-way valve, such as a duckbill valve. Some embodiments of the one-way valve are shaped or otherwise configured to provide certain biases to the valve, which can, for example, facilitate rapid opening and closing of the valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material includes an outlet opening with a perforated cover. A rotatable applicator dispenses material through the perforated cover and may include brushes that sweep across and penetrate the openings of the perforated cover. The housing may also contain a feed roller for regulating the flow of the material and one or more commutators for fractionating the material.

Abstract: A control circuit for a PMDC motor used in an ice delivery apparatus, the circuit including a double pole double throw relay that switches both sides of the circuit and peripheral circuitry connected between a power source and the double pole double throw relay to rectify the power source and power the PMDC motor.

Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device has a drive unit and a receiver for a dosage-dispensing unit. The drive unit has a drive shaft. The dosage-dispensing unit has a delivery orifice with a closure element that is disposed in the delivery orifice. The closure element is coupled to the drive shaft when the device is in an operating state. The closure element provides the delivery orifice with an aperture cross-section that varies between a closed position and a maximally open position. To couple the drive shaft to the closure element and to open the delivery orifice, the drive unit linearly advances towards the dosage-dispensing unit. A closure spring holds the closure element in a closed position up to the point of complete coupling. To prevent premature opening of the delivery orifice during the coupling process, the drive shaft has limited linear mobility in a direction away from the dosage-dispensing unit.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a dental material comprises a plunger for extruding a component of the dental material, and a motor for driving the plunger. The device has two electric circuits for powering the motor to drive the plunger forward or backward. A selector switch is arranged in the device for alternately selecting between the first electric circuit and the second electric circuit for powering the motor. The device further has switches for interrupting the first and/or second electric circuits when the plunger is positioned at certain positions. The device provides automatic functionality for facilitating dispensing of dental materials, and further is preferably relatively robust and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser has a liquid filled container which is attached to a pump for dispensing. The pump has at least two sensors, a first sensor that identifies whether a person's hand is present and activates the pump, and a second sensor that identifies when the pump has been fully actuated which then switches the direction of the pump's actuation back to its starting point. The dispensing nozzle serves as the pump's actuator and is moved by a motor powered gear system and a toothed rack to move the nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fluid dispenser for dispensing a fluid from a container. A roller is dimensioned to engage and roll along a portion of the container when the roller moves in a first direction from a first container-engaging position to a second container-engaging position. A sensor for sensing an object in a predetermined area is disposed near the housing. A light source is operable to emit a beam of visible light therefrom. The beam of light intersects the predetermined area. A controller is programmed such that when the sensor senses an object in the predetermined area, the controller energizes the light source to illuminate a target location where the fluid from the container is to be dispensed and the controller causes the roller to move in the first direction from the first container-engaging position to the second container-engaging position, thereby dispensing the fluid from the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a universal touch free dispenser for dispensing selective amounts of product from varying sized hand pump product containers. There is a touch free sensor on the front of the dispenser and in electrical communication with the drive assembly of the dispenser. An extendable ram pad extends from the drive assembly that is adjustable according to the amount of product a user wishes to be dispensed. With the product container placed within the dispenser, the unit is adjusted such that the pump on the container is in contact with the dispenser ram. When an object is placed within the viewing range of the touch free sensor, a signal is sent to the drive assembly and the dispenser ram is extended thereby depressing the pump head and dispensing the product onto the object.

Abstract: A valve assembly for dispensing a plurality of flowable materials, such as viscous fluids or powders, comprising a valve member having a plurality of inlets for the plurality of flowable materials and dispense outlets communicating with the inlets and a closure having one or more openings in a pattern that corresponds to the pattern of at least some of the outlets. The valve member and the closure are movable relative to each other between a closed position in which the outlets are closed and at least one dispensing position in which one or more openings in the closure are at least partially in register with the dispense outlets thus clearing the latter.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser is disclosed where a backoff distance is determined and implemented to prevent leakage while dispensing sequentially an accurate, precise amount of fluid substantially independent of the fluid remaining in a syringe-type dispenser. The fluid characteristics of the fluid, e.g. viscosity, surface tension, etc. affect the backoff distance that may be determined heuristically for fluid type, amount of fluid remaining in the syringe and amount to be dispensed. Once the fluid characteristics are known, the dispensing may be accomplished automatically with a processor loading new drive and backoff steps to a motor controller.

Abstract: A feeder apparatus includes a hopper having a longitudinal axis and a wall having an external surface and an internal surface defining a thickness therebetween. The wall defines an infeed end for receipt of particulate material and an outfeed end for conveyance of the particulate material from the hopper. The outfeed end defines or has an outfeed aperture therein. A base disposed such that at least a portion of the base is substantially coextensive with the outfeed aperture. The base has at least one base aperture therethrough to facilitate conveyance of the particulate material from the hopper. The base aperture may be concentrically or eccentrically disposed relative to the longitudinal axis of said hopper. At least one of the base and the hopper is capable of rotation relative to another of the base and hopper, such that the base aperture is in at least intermittent in particulate flow communication with the outfeed aperture.

Abstract: An ice dispenser including an ice supply container; a shaft extending into the supply container; a stirrer rotatable about the shaft which extends into the supply container, the stirrer being connectable to a rotation drive device that rotates the stirrer; an output chamber communicated with the supply container, the output chamber having an ice outlet opening; a slider rotatable in the output chamber, a rotation of the slider in a predetermined manner operating to bring the slider into moving engagement with ice located in the output chamber; and a coupling selectively disposable between an active coupling disposition in which the coupling operatively interconnects the stirrer and the slider to one another such that the slider rotates in correspondence with a rotation of the stirrer and a decoupling disposition in which the coupling does not operatively interconnect the stirrer and the slider to one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device 1 for dispensing bulk candy. The device 1 comprises a container 3 which at one end 5 of the container 3 has a dispensing opening 14 through which candy/sweets can leave the container 3. The container 3 has an inside that is provided with at least one guide for the candy/the sweets. The guide or guides 17, 18, 19, 27 is/are arranged to guide sweets in a direction towards the dispensing opening when the container 3 rotates about its longitudinal axis. The container 3 is inclined in relation to the horizontal plane by an angle that may be in the range of 10°-25°. The guide or guides is/are arranged in the container 3 in such a way that sweets are guided in a direction towards the dispensing opening 14 when the container 3 rotates about its longitudinal axis but remains at rest when the container is at a standstill.

Abstract: An articulated driving mechanism for a dispenser which in one embodiment is a caulking gun has a series of rigid links that are secured to one another by pins. The pins can slide in a slot which allows the links to space away from one another in a first position or be squeezed side by side which then prevents any rotation in a second position. The links all have ratchet teeth to engage two different driving wheels. The two driving wheels rotate at different speeds which allows the links to be consistently opened before reaching a circumferential wheel so that then the spaced links can rotate and safely and reliably rotate as they follow the circumference of the wheel. The articulated driving mechanism is used as a substitute for a push rod in a caulking gun in at least one embodiment.

Abstract: A fluid delivery system comprising a pump arranged to draw fluid, in use, from a reservoir (1) and dispense it through a dispensing tube (4), the pump comprising a cylinder (21) in which a piston (22) is reciprocally movable; an inlet into the cylinder; a one-way inlet valve (17) for controlling flow through the inlet; an outlet from the cylinder and leading to the dispensing tube; and an outlet valve (27) controlling flow through the outlet, wherein the piston is arranged to selectively contact the outlet valve to maintain it open during the initial portion of its downstroke and to allow it to close for the remainder of the downstroke.

Abstract: A pump adapted for coupling in a fluid circuit between a source of coating material and a dispensing device. The pump includes an operating member which extends through a pump housing to a location adjacent the fluid circuit. The passage of the operating member to a location adjacent the fluid circuit includes a seal system permit operation of the pump while reducing the likelihood of leakage of the coating material from the circuit out of the housing along the operating member. The seal system includes at least first and second seals defining between them a flushable seal chamber facing a pump chamber containing the coating material being pumped.