Abstract: As storage and dispensing system for the storage of dispensable products under atmospherically modified conditions and for the dispensing of such products from the system. The system is for use with dispensable products, more particularly for use with roasted whole-bean coffee in any retailing application, to extend shelf life of the product. The invention comprises a storage and dispensing container, a valve for enabling a fluid communication between the container and an atmosphere modification source (vacuum pump, inert gas insertion device or other oxygen depletion mechanism), and a gateway for opening the container to the atmosphere and dispensing the product therefrom. A merchandising unit for storing and dispensing perishables includes a plurality of the above described vacuum storage and dispensing containers.

Abstract: A liquid flow regulation device utilizing a cage having a passageway with an exit. The passageway includes an open web portion and a closed wall portion adjacent to one another. A floating element is confined to the passageway of the cage and is buoyant in the liquid found in a bottle. The floating element is unable to travel through the exit and obstructs the flow of liquid from the bottle when positioned adjacent a spout passage.

Abstract: An orifice reducer with crumple zones well suited for use with an extrusion blow molded bottle having an uneven surface finish. The device includes a circumferential wall having a number of vertically extending reduced thickness regions, preferably spaced symmetrically about the circumferential wall. The reduced thickness regions deform upon insertion of the orifice reducer into the neck of a bottle to account for irregularity of the surface finish of the bottle. This allows the orifice reducer to be more easily inserted into standard extrusion blow molded bottles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-refillable tamper evident liquid container closure assembly which is applied to a mouth and neck portion of a container for liquid. The closure assembly provides a sleeve which is adapted to lie around the mouth and provided with three projection means projecting inwardly of the sleeve, the projection means are movable radially of the sleeve in a stiffly resilient manner and are engageable with an outer lip portion of the bottle neck. The assembly also includes a valve seat body which is receivable within the neck portion of the bottle, and is surrounded by the sleeve.

Abstract: A self-standing type bag-shaped vacuum container has a self-standing container including a wall formed of a soft sheet, a pouring port, and a check valve mounted in the pouring port. The check valve is opened to allow the migration of a content of the container when subjected to a pressure in the pouring direction, but is closed when subjected to a pressure in a filling direction, so that the inside of the container is evacuated. The self-standing container can be optimized for storing beverages or the like which are negatively effected by contact with air, because the content will be oxidized with the air. The vacuum type container will not lose its self-standing property even if the content is reduced, and can stand stably by itself.

Abstract: A bulk granular solids gravity flow curing vessel comprises an upper curing unit having a top opening for receiving particulate solids, a lower curing unit coupled to receive particulate solids from the upper curing unit, and at least one of the upper and lower curing units including a first intermediate section having substantially vertical sidewalls, a first hopper positioned to receive the particulate solids from the intermediate section, and a first velocity adjustment means positioned in the intermediate section and/or the first hopper. A bulk granular solids gravity flow curing vessel comprising a first section having substantially vertical sidewalls, a first hopper positioned to receive particulate solids from the first section, and a first velocity adjustment means positioned in the first section is also described.

Abstract: A pressure reducer is configured for use in a liquid delivery system that requires its liquid contents to be pressurized to a first, relatively high pressure but also requires that the liquid be delivered to a downstream location such as a faucet at a second, relatively low pressure. The pressure reducer reduces the pressure of the flowing liquid by repeatedly imparting directional changes to the liquid. Preferably, the pressure reducer comprises a stationary restrictor having multiple aligned segments, each of which is configured to divide the liquid into two or more diverging streams and to recombine the streams at the end of the segment. Each segment preferably comprises a curved blade having opposed generally toroidal surfaces that border one of two divided liquid streams. The device may be located either remote from or adjacent to the faucet or other terminal point of the system and can include either a single passage or multiple parallel passages.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus being formed so as in use to provide a vortex motion in the mass of beverage flowing through the apparatus. In the vortexial flow, a low pressure area is produced at the center of the vortex so that the pressure in that region falls below equilibrium pressure and thus results in gas separating out from the liquid beverage. Since the gas breakout is achieved without the need for a flow restrictor, the pressure drop associated with these devices does not occur. Consequently, the beverage may enter the apparatus at a lower pressure. Moreover it has been found that a high quality head is formed on the draught beverage dispensed from the apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a comestible fluid dispensing apparatus including a nozzle defining an interior space and having a fluid inlet through which fluid is received within the interior space and a fluid outlet through which fluid exits the interior space and a substantially conical valve movable relative to the nozzle between different positions with respect to the nozzle and shaped to reduce turbulence and/or provide improved dispensing control.

Abstract: The bottle cap unit (1) of this invention comprises an inner cap (2), which is tightly fitted to the bottleneck (24) to form a pour spout, and an outer cap (15), which is detachably screwed on or off the inner cap (2) to close or open the pour spout. The first locking part (5) is disposed on the outer wall of the attaching cylinder (3) of the inner cap (2). The second locking part (23) is disposed on the locking cylinder (22), which is connected to the outer cylinder (20) of the outer cap (15) via the breaking pieces (21). This second locking part (23) is engaged from underside with the first locking part (5) to lock the outer cap (15). The attachment of the inner cap (2) to the bottleneck (24) is set at such a strength that allows the inner cap (2) to be manually snapped out of the bottleneck (24). In this configuration, the bottle cap unit (1) can be easily snapped out of the bottleneck (24) for separate collection.

Abstract: An anti run-on device is provided for use in a refrigeration appliance, wherein the refrigeration appliance includes a water dispenser including a water reservoir, a water conduit extending downstream from the water reservoir to a water spout, and a user operable valve positioned in the water conduit upstream of the reservoir and the water spout. The anti run-on device comprises a constriction in the conduit between the valve and the water spout, a small hole in the conduit located either at or just downstream of the constriction, and a vacuum chamber in communication with the small hole. A Venturi or knife edge effect is created when water is flowing through the conduit to evacuate the vacuum chamber, so that when the valve is closed, water between the small hole and the water spout is drawn into the vacuum chamber, thereby precluding dripping from the water spout.

Abstract: An improved dropper cap, for use in controlled dispensing of liquid from a container, comprises an antechamber, a baffle and an elongated nozzle. The nozzle may comprise a flared spout to ensure clean separation of the liquid from the dropper cap, reducing dripping and smearing of the liquid on the dropper cap, as well as precise dispensing of the liquid. The baffle physically prevents splashing of the liquid from the container, and includes openings to control the flow of liquid into the nozzle. The baffle and antechamber cooperate to draw back undispensed liquid from the nozzle and prevent spurting of the liquid from the container between uses. Further, the dropper cap is threaded to allow easy attachment and removal from the container.

Abstract: A pour spout assembly for providing a pour spout attachable to a bottle and including a cap securable to the pour spout between uses. The pour spout assembly includes a spout member having an attachment portion adapted for coupling to various sizes of bottle openings. The spout member further includes exterior threading on an outer perimeter of a spout portion extending from the bottle when the spout member is attached to the bottle. A cap member is provided for covering the spout portion of the spout member. The cap member has threading on an interior surface complimentary to the threading on the spout portion of the spout member to permit securing of the cap member to the spout member.

Abstract: A flexible polymeric container for storing and dispensing liquids includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall connected together to define a fluid chamber therebetween. The first sidewall and the second sidewall each have an inner surface facing the fluid chamber and an opposed outer surface. A fitment is attached to an outer surface of one of the first sidewall or the second sidewall. The fitment has an opening therethrough which has an axis substantially perpendicular to the outer surface. A plurality of objects on the inner surface of one of the first sidewall or the second sidewall defines a plurality of pathways having at least a first pathway and a second pathway intersecting one another.

Abstract: A pouring apparatus for a container for liquids with a pouring insert which consists of a holding device (3) for flow channels which are arranged in a ring-shape fashion around its central axis and project in the direction of said central axis into the container (2) for liquids, which holding device (3) can be inserted into the pouring opening (1) of the container (2). In order to provide advantageous constructional conditions it is proposed that the flow channels (6) are merely provided in an outer ring region and delimit a main channel (8).

Abstract: Bottle Insert with an insert that removably resides inside the uppermost portion of a wide mouth bottle. The insert is circular in shape and has sidewalls and an integral base portion. The base portion rises in one or more locations to a flat plane located near the top of the circular shape and extending approximately one third of the diameter distance into the circular shape. The raised flat portions each have a cut out area for the purpose of drinking liquid contained within the bottle. The cut out area follows the inner diameter of the circular shape at one edge and following the contour of the rest of the raised portion of the flat area. The lower base portion has one or more drain holes.

Abstract: An applicator for dispensing adhesive material, includes a container body, and an applicator tip, where the adhesive material is located in the container body in a non-contacting relationship with the applicator tip prior to dispensing said adhesive material. The applicator tip has a proximal open end open toward said container body for attachment to the container body, a distal end having at least one orifice, a restrictive flow portion located between the proximal end and the distal end, and a flow reducing portion located between the restrictive flow portion and the distal end. The applicator tip defines a fluid flow channel from the proximal end to the distal end and through the restrictive flow portion and the flow reducing portion, where the applicator tip permits the adhesive material to pass through the applicator tip and exit the applicator tip at the at least one orifice.

Abstract: A self-standing type bag-shaped vacuum container has a self-standing container including a wall formed of a soft sheet, a pouring port, and a check valve mounted in the pouring port. The check valve is opened to allow the migration of a content of the container when subjected to a pressure in the pouring direction, but is closed when subjected to a pressure in a filling direction, so that the inside of the container is evacuated. The self-standing container can be optimized for storing beverages or the like which are negatively effected by contact with air, because the content will be oxidized with the air. The vacuum type container will not lose its self-standing property even if the content is reduced, and can stand stably by itself.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a fluid includes a nozzle defining an orifice in a front face of the nozzle. The material is discharged through the orifice. The nozzle includes a flow divider cooperating to separate a supply of the material into two streams. The flow divider includes two surfaces which intersect not further forward in the nozzle than the front face.

Abstract: A bulk granular solids gravity flow curing vessel comprises an upper curing unit having a top opening for receiving particulate solids, a lower curing unit coupled to receive particulate solids from the upper curing unit, and at least one of the upper and lower curing units including a first intermediate section having substantially vertical sidewalls, a first hopper positioned to receive the particulate solids from the intermediate section, and a first velocity adjustment means positioned in the intermediate section and/or the first hopper. A bulk granular solids gravity flow curing vessel comprising a first section having substantially vertical sidewalls, a first hopper positioned to receive particulate solids from the first section, and a first velocity adjustment means positioned in the first section is also described.

Abstract: An insert is positioned in an opening in a fluid container and between a closure member and the fluid container. The insert generally includes a funnel and an obstructive member disposed therewithin. The insert inhibits evaporative emissions from the fluid container by seating against a conical body portion of the funnel when the fluid container is in an upright or storage position. When the fluid container is in a tilted or use position, the obstructive member locates to an outlet end of the funnel to create a passage from an inlet end of the funnel to the outlet end.

Abstract: A beverage dispense device is designed to dispense a chilled carbonated beverage at a temperature close to the freezing point of the beverage without freezing and without excess break out of carbon dioxide. The beverage dispense device comprises a nozzle (19), a valve comprising a valve seat (13) and a closure member (16, 17), the valve being opened and closed by movement of the closure member (16, 17) out of and into contact with the valve seat (13) to allow or prevent flow of the beverage through the nozzle (19), and a flow regulator (18) between the valve seat (13) and the nozzle (19), the flow regulator (18) being adjustable to control flow rate through the nozzle (19) and being in the form of a core member (18) moveable in a flow passageway (15) downstream of the valve seat (13) and spaced from the valve seat, the core member (18) and the flow passageway (15) having matching tapering surfaces.

Abstract: A faucet comprises a valve body having a bore, an inlet port and an outlet port. A plunger is disposed in the valve body and is reciprocated in the bore. The inlet port opens into a fluid passage adapted for connection to a pressurized source, and the outlet port opens into a dispensing spigot adapted to discharge materials from the faucet. A handle having a pivotal lever is disposed in the valve body and engages the plunger to reciprocate longitudinally through the bore. A plug is mounted on the plunger and has axial and radial sealing surfaces. The plug is forced against the axial valve seat when the valve is closed to deform in both axial and radial directions. The plunger is alternatively designed with channels on its exterior and passages through its interior for use with low-viscosity fluids and with a sealing arrangement for use with high-viscosity fluids. The dispensing spigot can be removed to ease access to the plug for cleaning.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided for dispensing a product from a container having an opening. The dispensing system includes a spout for communicating with the container opening. The spout defines at least one discharge aperture and a distal seal. A nozzle assembly is mounted on the spout for movement between a retracted, closed position and an extended, open position. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle having a dispensing passage around at least a portion of the spout. The nozzle assembly also includes a resiliently flexible valve that is sealingly disposed across the nozzle dispensing passage at a location distally of the spout and has an initially closed dispensing orifice which opens in response to a pressure differential acting across the valve. The nozzle assembly also includes a flow restrictor below the valve, and a distal seal for sealingly engaging the spout distal seal.

Abstract: A lid to dispense granular material. The lid includes a hole through which the granular material may flow and is closable by a combination seal and dispenser slidably mounted thereto. The dispenser has exit passages when extended located outwardly of the lid rim. A guide wall mounted to the lid main body extends into the seal and dispenser passage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing a fluid product, the apparatus including a dispenser cap including a substantially cylindrical base portion including a flexible post protruding therefrom, and a substantially cylindrical cover portion which is shaped to fit overtop of the substantially cylindrical base portion, said substantially cylindrical cover portion including a frustoconical portion extend therefrom which receives the flexible post.

Abstract: An attachment for a feeder conveyor with the attachment comprising an angularly positionable gate that is angularly postionable within the trough of a feeder with the postionable gate having a secondary metering outlet so that when the postionable gate is in the down position it partially close off the material flow path within the feeder while allowing only a portion of the solid materials in the material flow path to pass therethrough to thereby extend the range at which material can be controllable and uniformly delivered from the feeder.

Abstract: A cap for use in dispensing viscous liquids from containers without the accompaniment of lower viscosity liquid present in the container. The cap has a top portion with an outside surface and an inside surface and an elongated conduit formed at a pre-determined angle. The elongated conduit has an outlet and an inlet. The outlet is situated either eccentrically or concentrically on the outside surface of the top portion such that at least one point on the circumference of the top portion is greater than 10 millimeters from the edge of the inlet.

Abstract: A finger-operable pump actuator is provided with a generally rigid body and a softer finger pad on top. The generally rigid body and the softer pad are preferably bi-injection molded together. The actuator may be bi-injection molded in a variety of aesthetically pleasing designs.

Abstract: A multiple spray apparatus for portable use is reported. The spray apparatus is designed to be lightweight for easy portability and use in public facilities. The exterior of the spray dispenser is formed from two pieces openable to form a housing. The housing contains an inner chamber for the aerosol mechanism. The aerosol mechanism comprises aerosol canisters and a triggering device. The canisters preferably contain different compounds. The triggering device, comprising a plunger and standard aerosol valve, is attached to a three-way switch for activating the canister and dispensing the spray directionally through a nozzle.

Abstract: A dispensing cap for a container includes an internally screw-threaded skirt adapted to be screwed onto the externally threaded neck of the container. A transverse wall extends across the upper end of the skirt and includes a discharge hole extending coaxially with a center axis of the skirt. An annular abutment surface extends coaxially with the axis and is spaced downwardly from the transverse wall for abutting against a container rim. A tubular wall extends downwardly from a bottom surface of the transverse wall coaxially with the center axis for defining a downward extension of the discharge hole. The tubular wall is spaced radially inwardly of the abutment surface, whereby an annular serum trap is formed completely around the tubular wall and above the abutment surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a beverage into a receptacle is provided having one or more taps, between them defining two beverage flow paths. One of the beverage flow paths is provided with a flow restriction for inducing turbulence in the beverage flow for producing foam. An arrangement is provided for directing the beverage flow path subjected to the turbulence inducing flow restriction to be not vertically orientated at an outlet such that fobbing of the beverage in the receptacle is prevented.

Abstract: An attachment for a feeder conveyor with the attachment comprising an angularly postionable gate that is angularly postionable within the trough of a feeder with the postionable gate having a secondary metering outlet so that when the postionable gate is in the down position it partially close off the material flow path within the feeder while allowing only a portion of the solid materials in the material flow path to pass therethrough to thereby extend the range at which material can be controllable and uniformly delivered from the feeder.

Abstract: A limited pour neck finish bottle wherein a plurality of radially inwardly extending flexible fingers are integral with the peripheral edge portion of the open end of the neck of a bottle and extend across the open end of the neck to restrict or interfere with the flow of liquid from the bottle if an attempt is made to pour the liquid from the bottle rather than employing an exact dose dispensing device. The bottle is made by molding a plurality of axially extending flexible fingers on the peripheral edge portion at the open end of the neck simultaneously with the molding of the bottle, and then bending the fingers downwardly to the radially inwardly extending position.

Abstract: A seeding machine is provided with a frame having a plurality of pneumatic seed meters. An air pump located on the frame supplies air pressure to a pneumatic manifold. The pneumatic manifold in turn is pneumatically coupled to the seed meters by air hoses. Pneumatic orifices are pneumatically positioned between the pneumatic manifold and the portion of the seed meters closest to the air pump.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser capable of delivering accurate quantities of fodder and minimizing waste is disclosed, which dispenser includes a closing mechanism having a plate that scrapes against a wall of the dispenser as the closing mechanism is actuated to reduce the build-up of fodder on the wall of the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided for dispensing a product from a container having an opening. The dispensing system includes a spout for communicating with the container opening. The spout defines at least one discharge aperture, a distal seal surface located distally of the discharge aperture, and a proximal seal surface located on the exterior of the spout proximally of the discharge aperture. A nozzle assembly is mounted on the spout for movement between a retracted, closed position and an extended, open position. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle having a dispensing passage around at least a portion of the spout, a proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging the spout proximal surface, and a distal seal surface located outwardly of the nozzle proximal seal surface for sealingly engaging the spout distal seal surface when the nozzle assembly is in the retracted, closed position.

Abstract: A silo for pulverulent and other loose materials of the type that has a base formed in part by a centrally located, inner conical dome. The silo has a vertically oriented material withdrawal conduit through which the loose materials are withdrawn from the silo. The conduit has an upper end located approximately at the apex of the inner conical dome, and the silo is constructed so that approximately two thirds of its stored contents can be withdrawn by gravity from the lower end of the material withdrawal conduit. The silo may also utilize a plurality of angularly spaced material transport conduits passing radially inward, with a first end of said conduits being located at material outlet points located within the silo body near the inner silo wall and a second end of each of said conduits located at a centrally located collection point within the silo body. The conduits will preferably utilize a dense phase conveying system that utilizes gravity to provide the pressure head to transport material.

Abstract: A hygienic toothpaste dispenser comprises a main body member having a plurality of tubular spouts (27, 28, and 29), from which an individual can dispense toothpaste from his or her own personally assigned tubular spout permanently marked by indicia (30), thereby providing a sanitary delivery system. This dispenser has a main body with a base (23) for connection to a toothpaste container (20), either directly or via an adapter (FIG. 10), and tubular spouts with caps (31) for delivery of the paste. Additional dispenser embodiments (FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 9) are shown. Also additional adapter embodiments (FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17) show various means of connection between various types of toothpaste container tubular spouts and the various types of bases of the main body of the dispenser. Several dispensers may be connected together (FIG. 4), providing almost an unlimited number of assignable tubular spouts, limited only by a reasonable length and a reasonable width.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device includes a valve body defining a longitudinal opening therein, an inlet in flow communication with the longitudinal opening that defines an axis generally transverse to the longitudinal opening, and an outlet defined by a first end of the longitudinal opening. A sealing member is situated within the longitudinal opening, and a valve stem is linearly movable within the longitudinal opening and adapted to seat against the sealing member to control fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. A nozzle is coupled to the valve body adjacent the outlet and defines an opening therethrough such that fluid can flow from the outlet through the nozzle. An apparatus is situated within the nozzle so as to cause fluid flowing from the outlet through the nozzle to do work.

Abstract: Valve for an aerosol container for dispensing a suspension of a substance in a liquid propellant contained therein. The valve comprises a valve body (1) having at least one orifice (16) to allow a quantity of the suspension to pass from the container into the valve. The valve further comprises a ring (18) disposed around the valve body (1), the ring being positioned below the at least one orifice to reduce the volume of suspension that can be accommodated within the container below the at least one orifice when the container is orientated with the valve at the bottom, the ring having at least one portion of reduced axial thickness to provide a trough (19) around the valve body below the at least one orifice.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to provide a dispenser structure for aerosol containers, which can control the discharge rate of aerosol and ensure satisfactory and safe dispensing of the aerosol while preventing the particle size of the dispensed aerosol from becoming too fine and preventing its excessive scattering which too fine particles would entail. Its structure is characterized in that it includes a dispenser (1) provided with a dispensing guide or first nozzle (11) communicating with a dispensing valve (2); a second nozzle (10) provided within the dispensing guide or first nozzle (11) and having a smaller dispensing port (10a) whose bore d is not more than 0.5 mm; and a larger dispensing port (1a) having a bore b of 0.8 to 3 mm and a length c of not less than 5 mm, formed within the dispensing guide or first nozzle (11) downstream, in the direction of dispensing from the second nozzle (10).

Abstract: A container for handling bulk flowable products including a housing having opposed first and second end walls and opposed first and second side walls, a partition in the housing dividing it into first and second compartments, an outlet for each compartment respectively adjacent to opposite ends of the housing; and closures for the outlets. The partition is sloped toward each outlet so that when its closure is opened, the product in the corresponding compartment flows through the outlet and is dispensed. In effect, the container is comprised of two, back-to-back, funnel-shaped compartments that are inverted relative to each, with outlets from the compartments adjacent to the respective throats of compartments.

Abstract: A limited pour neck finish bottle wherein a plurality of radially inwardly extending flexible fingers are integral with the peripheral edge portion of the open end of the neck of a bottle and extend across the open end of the neck to restrict or interfere with the flow of liquid from the bottle if an attempt is made to pour the liquid from the bottle rather than employing an exact dose dispensing device. The bottle is made by molding a plurality of axially extending flexible fingers on the peripheral edge portion at the open end of the neck simultaneously with the molding of the bottle, and then bending the fingers downwardly to the radially inwardly extending position.

Abstract: A liquid container includes a drop dispensing tip with a hollow stem which defines a liquid passageway and an interior partition wall in the passageway. The partition wall separates the liquid passageway into an upstream chamber and a downstream chamber. Flow communication between these two chambers is provided by a liquid passage in the partition wall. The liquid passage guides liquid against an impingement surface in the downstream chamber from which the liquid is dispensed dropwise.

Abstract: A dispensing system is provided for dispensing liquid from a container. The system includes a discharge conduit defining a flow passage for establishing fluid communication with liquid from the container. A resilient valve is provided to extend across the discharge flow passage in an initial, substantially non-deformed, closed configuration. The valve has an interior side for being contacted by the liquid and an exterior side exposed to ambient external atmosphere. The valve defines a normally closed dispensing orifice that is displaceable outwardly to an open configuration when the pressure on the valve interior side exceeds the pressure on the valve exterior side by a predetermined amount, and is displaceable inwardly to an open configuration when the pressure on the valve exterior side exceeds the pressure on the valve interior side by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A non-resealable, snap-fitted closure comprises a closure, a drop ring and a container. The closure has a sleeve with a sleeve snap. The drop ring has an internal snap and an external snap wherein the internal snap engages the sleeve snap of the closure when the closure engages the drop ring. The container has a neck and a neck snap, wherein the neck snap and the internal snap of the drop ring engage when the closure and the drop ring engage the neck. The neck snap of the neck and the internal snap of the drop ring are an order of magnitude stronger than the sleeve snap of the sleeve and the external snap of the drop ring. When the closure is removed from the neck, the drop ring remains attached to the neck and is free to move vertically up and down along the neck, thereby preventing reattachment of the closure to the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a micropump for the nebulization of fluids with enhanced metering valve. The micropump comprises a hollow body and a set of stem and piston such as to constitute a "metering chamber" in the body. The hollow stem, which exits the body, is joined with a dispensing push-button fitted with a nebulization element. Pressing the dispensing push-button allows the passage of the fluid to be nebulized from the "metering chamber" to an exit duct, comprising the longitudinal cavity of the stem, a "compression pre-chamber" in the dispensing button and passages from the chamber to the nebulization element. The metering valve is obtained by interposing, in said fluid exit duct, an elastically deformable shutter.

Abstract: A refrigerator has a cold water storage vessel mounted on an interior side of a door of the refrigerator. The vessel has a valve for opening and closing a water outlet thereof. A manually actuable lever mounted on the door is actuable by a user to discharge water. By actuating the lever, a magnetic force causes the valve to open. The magnetic force can be imposed by a first permanent magnet which is caused to approach a second permanent magnet disposed on the valve to repel the second magnet and thereby open the valve. Alternatively, a permanent magnet disposed on the valve can be repelled by a magnetic force of a stationary electromagnet which is energized by actuation of the lever.

Abstract: A novel fluid container system comprises a container having a port at an upper end through which port fluid is permitted to pass for emptying the container. A restricter is provided within the container for momentarily restricting fluid flow out of the port when the container is inverted, the restricter having a construction such that a restricted fluid flow is permitted through the port for a period of time when the container is inverted, after which period of time a substantially less restricted fluid flow is permitted through the port. A retainer retains the restricter in the vicinity of the port. The retainer is disposed on an inner surface of the upper end of the container and extends inwardly from the inner surface. The retainer can include a substantially horizontal arcuate member or a circular member.