Abstract: A liquid valve particularly suited for dispensing of glue at high repetition rate has a solenoid-retracted pin that normally engages a valve seat to close the valve. Glue under pressure enters the chamber in which the pin operates, close to the valve seat. To seal against the flow of pressurized glue up along the pin toward the solenoid, and also to exert a light valve closing force on the pin, a thin metal bellows member is sealed and fixed to the pin near its lower end, at one end of the bellows, and to a connector within which the pin slides, at an opposite, upper end of the bellows. The geometry of the valve seat and the valve closure end of the pin is such that only a very slight retraction of the valve pin opens the valve sufficiently to deliver glue at full velocity through the valve orifice. The valve is capable of accurate glue dispensing through a wide range of operating pressure.

Abstract: A system for automated vending of windshield washer fluid from large volume tanks. In one embodiment the system includes two or more vending control units and a fluid storage system that includes one or more fluid storage tanks mounted at a level above the vending control units. Preferably the fluid storage tanks are mounted to an over head canopy, either on the roof of the canopy or on one of the canopy support columns. Where two or more fluid storage tanks are utilized, fluid equalization conduits connect the storage tanks to each other so that fluid levels in the storage tanks equalize as fluid is added to or withdrawn from any one of the tanks. Two or more fluid dispensing hoses are provided, each one being associated with and controlled by one of the vending control units. Each hose is connected to the fluid storage system and dispenses fluid by force of gravity in response to selective activation of the corresponding vending control unit by a user.

Abstract: A condiment drawback valve for a condiment dispensing system compensates for run-on from a depressurized pump during deactivation and draws back any hanging condiment left in the dispensing outlet of the system, thereby eliminating drips after the pump is stopped. The condiment drawback valve includes a continuous-flowing condiment channel fluidicly coupled between the pump and the dispensing outlet. A drawback chamber is in continuous fluid communication with the condiment channel. A spring is disposed in the drawback chamber. A piston is coupled with the spring and is movable to change the volume of the drawback chamber. When a flow gas is supplied to the pump to activate the pump during condiment dispensing, a portion of the gas is directed to the piston to push the piston against the biasing force of the spring and reduce the volume of the drawback chamber.

Abstract: An anti-clog pump sprayer has a cover mounted for independent reciprocation on a plunger head, the cover having a cupped spring biased portion covering the discharge orifice on the head to avoid clogging on product drying, and being lifted off the orifice during the relative shift for uncovering the orifice in readiness for spraying. The sprayer may also have a product retraction device on the plunger head in communication with the discharge orifice, a projection on the underside of the cover top wall for actuating the device at the commencement of the plunger return stroke for creating a slight sub-atmospheric pressure for suctioning any residual product inwardly of the orifice to thereby avoid clogging.

Abstract: A container assembly that includes a container having a body with a cylindrical neck and an integral lug projecting radially inwardly from the neck. A fitment has a cylindrical wall adapted to be received within the container neck. The fitment wall has internal threads for receiving a container cap, and an axial slot adapted to be received by snap fit over the lug in the container neck. The neck lug thus cooperates with the slot in the fitment wall for both retaining the fitment axially within the neck, and preventing circumferential rotation of the fitment within the neck. The fitment and cap are provided to a packager as a subassembly separate from the container. The container is rapidly filled with product through the relatively large opening in the container neck, and the cap/fitment subassembly is then snapped into the container neck to complete the package assembly.

Abstract: A container (1) for storing and dispensing fluid material, in particular liquid detergents or the like, comprises a flexible collapsible storage portion (4) for storing the fluid material, and a dispensing portion (5) in communication with the storage portion in order to dispense the fluid material from the storage portion in a controlled manner. The storage portion has a substantially rectangular rounded shape. One side (7) thereof contains the dispensing portion. The dispensing portion (5) is pivotally connected to the edge (6) of said one side (7) of the storage portion (4), which slopes away inwardly from the dispensing portion in order to accommodate the folded-in dispensing portion. The invention also includes a combination package which comprises said container (1) and an outer cover (2, 2′). The outer cover has a rectangular shape and includes walls (14, 15) fitting around the filled container and having a portion allowing the passage of the dispensing portion when in use.

Abstract: A suck back valve comprises an ON/OFF valve, a suck back mechanism, a first sensor for detecting a displacement amount of a first diaphragm of the ON/OFF valve, and a second sensor for detecting a displacement amount of a second diaphragm corresponding to a suction amount of a coating liquid. The suck back valve further comprises a control unit for feedback-controlling the valve displacement speed of the ON/OFF valve and the suction amount of the coating liquid on the basis of detection signals obtained by the first sensor and the second sensor respectively.

Abstract: A gun for dispensing fluids having a positionable spout comprises a handle provide with a trigger which is posteriorly coupled, by means of a rotatable connection, to a flexible fluid feed pipe and which anteriorly bears a spout destined to be introduced into an access of a container to be filled with fluid. The spout is sealedly connected to the handle by means of a connection which is rotatable about an axis of rotation which is not parallel to an axis of the handle.

Abstract: A tip 10 for a liquid dropper 2 is provided which allows liquids such as eye medication to be easily and precisely released from the dropper. The tip 10 is oriented in a substantially horizontal position with an opening 20 in the tip 10 located directly above the targeted area of a patient's eye E. The opening 20 is surrounded by a substantially planar annular face 30 which enhances control of the trajectory of each dispensed droplet D. The annular face 30 encourages the release of each droplet D along the plane formed by the annular face 30. A perimeter ring 40 circumscribes the annular face 30 and abuts a circumambient notch 50. The narrow width 42 of the perimeter ring 40, juxtaposed against the geometric departure of the notch 50, creates an impediment to wettable adhesion of each droplet D to an exterior surface of the tip 10 by minimizing the lateral wettable area available to a droplet D as it exits the opening 20, descends along the annular face 30, then drops toward the eye E of the patient.

Abstract: It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a valve assembly of the general class aforedescribed having the capability of drawing-back the flow of product from the nozzle after valve closing, in a more accurate and precise manner, requiring few moving parts, without the need of external sources for moving any of the parts, and in a manner which automatically closes the discharge and thereafter creates the suck-back flow.

Abstract: A opening and closing valve comprises ROM in which a plurality of valve-closing program control patterns are stored in order to avoid liquid drip when the valve is closed. The valve further comprises a control unit for controlling a valve plug lift position in a direction to close the valve by controlling an amount of electric power application to a linear voice coil type driving unit in accordance with the valve-closing program control pattern.

Abstract: A resealable container cover for use in providing, for example, a drink of coffee. It is adapted to be used with a container that has a spout. The cover has a generally circular main portion and a spout portion that extends over the spout of the container. The spout cover portion is hinged to the rest of the top to permit moving between a closed state and an open state. The hinge between the spout portion of the cover and the main portion of the cover avoids the fracturing of a portion of the cover to thereby hold liquid in the container or cup more reliably.

Abstract: A device for filling containers, particularly packaging containers such as cardboard packaging containers, on the packaging container, comprises a feed part and a closing part. To prevent the dripping of the substance distributed into the packaging container on the area around the fill opening the feed part is equipped with outlets which form an angle with the center axis of the feed part so that the upper ends of the outlets separate from each other. In the lower end of the feed part, the angle position of the outlets causes the liquid flows from different outlets to unit into one flow of liquid which, if necessary, can be fed into a container even through a small fill opening.

Abstract: A drip-catcher that is easily insertable into the opening of a bottle or similar container. The drip-catcher is self-adjusting and adapted to be inserted into the opening of the bottle with one hand. The drip-catcher is heart-shaped and includes a central groove defined at an upper end of the heart-shaped drip-catcher.

Abstract: A liquid container for a comestible product such as milk or juice includes a base having a substantially planar region, a top surface having a substantially planar region parallel to the substantially planar region of the base and having a pour spout. A sidewall is integrally formed with and extends between the base and top surface, and includes a structural load distributing feature that transfers loads from the top surface to the base. A handle is interposed between the base and top surface and integrally formed with the base, top surface, and sidewall. The containers can be arrayed into units and stacked on top of one another.

Abstract: A photoresist dispensing system used in a photoresist coating machine includes a pump, a sucking-back valve, a solenoid valve, a first pump speed controller, a second pump speed controller and a sucking-back speed controller. The pump is used to transport photoresist and spray a substrate. The sucking-back valve is used to suck back liquid photoresist from a transporting duct end. The solenoid is used to activate or inactivate the pump and the sucking-back valve. The first and the second pump speed controllers are separately coupled between the pump and the solenoid valve, and the sucking-back speed controller is coupled between the sucking-back valve and the sucking-back speed controller is coupled between the sucking-back valve and the route, where is between the pump and the second pump speed controller. Hence, the sucking-back valve produces a sucking force after the pump is inactivated and releases a sucking force after pump is activated.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an EMI shielding gasket. The gasket is a formed-in-place gasket which is deposited by an extruder. The gasket material is a fluent polymeric material having a conductive particles disposed therein. The fluent polymeric material is supplied to the extruder by a material supply system having several canisters and a mixing chamber. The fluent polymeric material is fed to a chamber in the extruder. Pressure is applied to the fluent polymeric material by a pressure supply system which includes a source of positive pressure and negative pressure, and a control module for selectively supplying positive pressure and negative pressure to the extrusion chamber.

Abstract: A pour spout closure for use on containers comprising, a cap configuration having a pour spout and a return reservoir integrally joined to a closure by a live hinge. A secondary cap is formed on the closure that is registerable in the return reservoir when the closure is in closed position holding the secondary cap and closure in closed position.

Abstract: A suck back valve is equipped with a coupling having a fluid passage with a first port formed in one end, and a second port formed in another end thereof, a suck back mechanism for sucking a pressurized fluid inside the fluid passage under a displacement action of a second diaphragm which is displaced by a pilot pressure, and an ON/OFF valve disposed coaxially with the second diaphragm for opening and closing the fluid passage by displacement and movement thereof with the second diaphragm.

Abstract: A suck back valve comprises a linear actuator which displaces a second diaphragm through a stem, an encoder which detects a displacement amount of the linear actuator, and a flow amount controller for controlling a pilot pressure supplied to an ON/OFF valve mechanism.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a liquid, sterile, preservative-free preparation free from bacterial growth. The device includes a reservoir which contains the preparation and, in fluid communication with the reservoir, a dispensing part constructed to deliver the liquid preparation directly to a predetermined region of the human body. The device also includes a protective cap constructed to be removably mounted over the dispensing part, where the protective cap has an opening which allows ambient air to reach the dispensing part to facilitate air-drying of the dispensing part. Located near the opening is a plug constructed from an absorbent material, such as ethylenevinylacetate foam or sintered polyethylene, which helps the dispensing part dry quickly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spray nozzle with both desirable aesthetic and functional attributes. The spray nozzle includes a central orifice and a plurality of blind recesses concentrically disposed around the central orifice, as well as an annular channel connecting all of the blind recesses. The recesses and the channel each individually provide desirable aesthetic properties, while in combination they each reduce the likelihood of product residue buildup in the other. The recesses interrupt the smooth walls of the channel to divert liquid product out of the channel before it can dry out.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dispensing controlled portions of food products having high levels of tack. An apparatus for dispensing portions of food has a portioning chamber including a first end defining a ram mating orifice, a second end defining an expulsion orifice, and a body portion defining an inlet orifice intermediate the two ends for introducing bulk food product into the chamber. Disposed in the chamber is a piston having a face sized to substantially slidingly fit therein. An actuatable ram is located at the first end and coupled to the piston for causing controlled movement of the piston. The actuator is operated by a controller wherein the controller first causes the ram, by way of the actuator, to fully extend, then causes the ram to partially retract so that the face of the piston retracts no further than the inlet orifice, and then causes the ram to again fully extend.

Abstract: A suck back valve is equipped with a second valve by which a flow amount of a pressurized fluid, which is sucked by a third diaphragm, is electrically controlled based on an output of activation and deactivation signals from a main controller. The suck back valve further includes an encoder which detects a displacement amount of the third diaphragm, and outputs a detection signal thereof to the main controller.

Abstract: A suck back valve comprises a valve body including a fluid passage having a first port formed at one end and a second port formed at the other end, and an air supply port for introducing a pressurized fluid; a displacement mechanism provided displaceably at the inside of the valve body, for making displacement in accordance with an action of the pressurized fluid introduced from the air port; a first diaphragm coupled to the displacement mechanism, for making displacement integrally with the displacement mechanism; and a seat section provided to face to the fluid passage, for seating the first diaphragm or making separation from the first diaphragm.

Abstract: A device for preventing spillage of wine, liquor, etc. during their pouring from a bottle and the like, the device has a springy element which is movable between a substantially flat inoperative position and a wound operative position so that in the wound operative position it is formed as a tube insertable into a neck of a bottle and the like and firmly abuts, due to its springy nature, against an inner surface of the bottle, to form a tubular guide for pouring wine, liquor, etc.

Abstract: A suck back valve in which the response speed of a diaphragm is improved and in which control becomes assured, wherein there is no concern of changes occurring in an amount of sucked fluid, and wherein a system employing the suck back valve is kept small in scale, thereby enabling ease of installation.

Abstract: A spray device for use as an alternate water discharge to a faucet has a body with a handle and a spray head. The spray head has discharge openings therein. There is a trigger movable on the body between an off position and an on position. There is a chamber within the body which is in communication with a source of water under pressure and there is a water passage between the chamber and the discharge openings. A valve is movable within the chamber in response to movement of the trigger to connect the source of water under pressure through the chamber, to the water passage, and then to the discharge openings. The water passage is formed between closely spaced facing walls having a textured surface thereon to create adequate surface tension with water within the water passage, whereby water therein will not move to the discharge openings unless the water passage is connected to the source of water under pressure.

Abstract: A suck back valve includes a fitting having a fluid passage formed with a first port at one end thereof and a second port at another end, a valve actuator having a suck back mechanism for sucking a fluid from inside the fluid passage according to a negative pressure action of a diaphragm displaced by a pilot pressure, and first and second electromagnetic valves which increase/reduce the pilot pressure supplied to a diaphragm chamber in accordance with supply and discharge actions. A controller is provided for energizing and deenergizing the first and second electromagnetic valves, wherein said fitting, said actuator and said controller are assembled together as an integral unit.

Abstract: A unitary blow-molded hand-held plastic container having improved pouring capability without requiring separate pour spouts is disclosed. The neck has a pair of opposed panels that are pinched inwardly below the finish of the container to afford precise control during pouring.

Abstract: A piston is disposed inside a tube having an inner cross sectional size and shape uniform along its length. The tube has an open end. The piston is free to move linearly inside the tube and preferably may move out of the tube through the open end. If the tube is cylindrical, for example, it has a constant inner diameter. The open end of the tube is neither tapered or flaring. Liquid samples are aspirated into the device by pulling the piston back. The sample is then ejected by accelerating the piston to a minimum velocity to force the liquid sample out of the open end of the tube. The velocity of the sample is sufficient to render negligible the effects of surface tension forces. The volume of the liquid sample dispensed is determined by the inner diameter of the tube and the piston displacement. Accurate positioning of the piston provides samples of accurate volumes. A specific embodiment of the present invention uses a tube with an inner diameter of 0.5 mm, resulting in a volume displacement of 1.

Abstract: A purge valve for use with a chemical select valve comprises, in a preferred embodiment, an enlarged chamber in the vacuum impelled feed line to the select valve. The chamber is formed by resilient walls, collapsible upon vacuum operation to draw chemical into a venturi line where it is mixed with water and dispensed. The walls do not fully collapse and provide passages for chemical flow. Upon vacuum interruption, the chamber walls expand, returning the chamber to its larger volume and drawing chemical back upstream from common passages in the select valve. Another chemical can then be selected without contamination of the preceding chemical in the common passages.

Abstract: A suck back valve is equipped with a displacement speed regulating device made up of an ER (Electro-rheological) fluid filled in a chamber and whose viscosity changes in correspondence with the size of an external electric field, a coil member which generates the external electric field in response to an applied voltage, and a constriction which regulates a flow amount of the ER fluid between an upper-side chamber and a lower-side chamber of the chamber.

Abstract: A suck back valve is proposed, comprising a suck back mechanism for sucking a coating liquid inside a fluid passage under a negative pressure action of a diaphragm displaced by a pilot pressure, an ON/OFF valve for opening and closing the fluid passage under action of the pilot pressure, and a flow amount control device for controlling the pilot pressure supplied to the ON/OFF valve.

Abstract: A combined drain back spout (DBS) fitment and plastic container assembly comprising a plastic container body and finish and a plastic drain back spout fitment having a pour spout connected to a surrounding drain gutter and spill-catching apron. The fitment apron has an integral mounting collar with a radial flange spanning the finish end edge and a collar skirt dependent therefrom and encircling the outer surface of the container finish and being sealably joined thereto by a spin weld joint. The lower free end edge of collar skirt is closely spaced from the juxtaposed surface of the container body, and the collar skirt and finish exterior surface conjointly define an intervening space for receiving, containing and hiding spin weld slag and/or shavings. The finish is corrugated to provide annular external ribs and intervening external grooves to thereby provide sacrificial parent spin weld material in the rib crowns and slag-receiving spaces in the grooves.

Abstract: A spurt-resistant spout for a dispensing structure includes (1) an internal tubular portion having a through bore connecting a dispensing orifice of the spout with the interior of the container, and (2) a surrounding wall portion surrounding the tubular portion. The tubular portion and the surrounding wall portion are sized and located so that little or no fluid is retained in and across the spout bore so as to prevent, or minimize, obstruction of the bore.

Abstract: A suck back valve is proposed which prevents change in the amount of fluid which is sucked by the suck back valve, and which improves response accuracy of a diaphragm, together with accurately controlling a displacement amount and a displacement speed thereof. A diaphragm displaceably disposed confronting an interior of a flow passage is formed from a first membrane and a second membrane stacked on the first membrane, wherein the first membrane is sucked into contact with the second membrane through holes defined in the second membrane, by activation of a negative pressure generating source which is connected to a chamber through a passage, and wherein the form of the first membrane is maintained by the second membrane.

Abstract: A suck back valve is proposed, comprising a suck back mechanism for sucking a coating liquid inside a fluid passage under a negative pressure action of a third diaphragm displaced by a pilot pressure, an ON/OFF valve for opening and closing the fluid passage under action of the same pilot pressure which is supplied to the suck back mechanism, and a fluid passage switching element for switching the pilot pressure supplied respectively to the suck back mechanism and to the ON/OFF valve.

Abstract: A suck back valve is equipped with a first flow amount control device for controlling a pilot pressure supplied to an ON/OFF valve, and a second flow amount control device for controlling a pilot pressure supplied to a suck back mechanism, wherein the first and second flow amount control devices are operated based on activating and deactivating signals output from a main controller.

Abstract: A suck back valve is proposed which prevents displacement of a diaphragm due to pressure of a supply fluid, together with alleviating concern of changes in the amount of supply fluid which is to be sucked, and enabling ease of installation by making compact the system which employs the suck back valve. A diaphragm is displaced in the direction of arrow A under an activation operation of a linear voice coil type luffing device. Compressed air is introduced into a chamber, wherein the diaphragm is supported under an applied pressure. A coating liquid which is introduced through a fluid passage is supplied onto a semiconductor wafer from a nozzle. When an ON/OFF valve is activated and supply of the coating liquid is prevented, together with activating the linear voice coil luffing device and causing displacement of a plunger in the direction of arrow B, a poppet valve is displaced so that compressed air inside the chamber is output from a fluid output passage.

Abstract: A grease collection container which is provided with an upstanding or protruding ridge along a pouring end surface of the container. The upstanding ridge extends upward from a lip along a front wall of the container. The ridge extends upwardly from the inside surface so that the ridge is along a back portion of the lip. The upstanding ridge may be formed along each of the side walls adjoining the front wall. The upstanding ridge prevents dripping of the grease due to pouring the grease from the container.

Abstract: A liquid filling nozzle plate is formed from a plate member provided with a plurality of through-holes. The liquid filling nozzle plate is attached to the lower end opening of a liquid filling tube of a liquid filling device. Liquid filling the liquid filling tube is prevented from flowing out of the tube and plate by surface tension in the through-holes of the liquid filling nozzle plate. The inner peripheral surface of each through-hole is provided with a circumferential projection projecting in a direction in which the inner diameter of the through-hole is reduced. The resulting cross-sectional configuration of the through-holes increases the surface tension of the through-holes to effectively prevent dripping of liquid from the through-holes. Dripping of liquid from the through-holes can also be prevented by providing through-holes having an elongated slit-shaped opening configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing liquid through a plurality of tubes. A valve is provided to interrupt flow of the liquid to the plurality of tubes which tubes thereafter retain any undispensed liquid contained therein due to capillarity caused by surface tension between any retained liquid and the internal walls of the plurality of tubes.

Abstract: A fitment for use on a container for dispensing liquids. The fitment provides a pouring spout and a drain back function and is secured within the container finish. The container finish has a neck with a rim and a shoulder. The fitment has an outer wall with upper and lower ends and with a frustoconical shape to ensure that a portion of the outer wall frictionally engages the container finish when the fitment is inserted into the container finish to prevent the fitment from being inserted completely through the neck of the container. An annular bead extends outwardly from the outer wall a spaced distance from the upper end of the outer wall so that when the fitment is engaged in the neck of the container, the bead is positioned directly under the shoulder of the neck. Multiple bands of sealing engagement are created between the fitment and the container fitment to ensure a leak-free connection.

Abstract: A drip-free dispensing structure is provided with a body for extending from a container around an opening. The body has a crescent-shaped inner spout. An outer collar is spaced outwardly of the inner spout. A drain-back trough is defined between the inner spout and outer collar. The trough runs from a high point at the front of the structure to a low point on either side and empties into a reservoir defined at the rear of the structure. A notch in the wall of the inner spout permits the collected fluid in the reservoir to flow back into the container when the container is subsequently tilted forwardly to pour liquid from the container.

Abstract: A cup includes a spout integrally formed in an upper zone of the cup's side wall, the spout including a fluid directing channel extending upwardly and outwardly from an inner surface of the side wall at an angle relative to a vertical axis of the cup which causes the velocity of fluid flow to increase as the fluid enters the channel and flows towards a distal tip of the spout, thereby reducing the required degree of tilt of the cup when pouring or drinking fluids therefrom. A lip on the distal spout tip includes acute angled surfaces which, in conjunction with the increased flow velocity of the fluid through the spout, cause the fluid to separate from the cup when pouring, thereby discouraging flow of the fluid down along an outer surface of the cup. A plurality of shoulders formed at spaced intervals on an outer side of the spout create a fluid capture area for entrapping droplets of fluid which fail to detach from the cup and flow over the lip and down the side of the cup.

Abstract: A flow controlling cap (20) for a fluid container (12) controls fluid flow by means of gravity and pressure, and has a first chamber (22) formed by a first hollow cylinder (22) and a second chamber (24) formed by a second hollow cylinder (24) having a greater diameter than the first hollow cylinder (22). The first cylinder (22) forms the part of the cap (20) that will fit into the interior of the bottle neck (46). A partition wall (36) between the two chambers (22, 24) sealingly contacts the radial surface of the bottle opening (46). The cap (20) structure has a plurality of holes (30, 40, 42) formed in it that are specifically positioned to use forces of gravity, static fluid pressure, ambient air pressure and fluid surface tension to control the timing of fluid release when a bottle (12), fitted with the cap (20), is moved from an upright to an inverted position.

Abstract: A drip resistant nozzle for a dispenser is described. The drip resistant nozzle includes a flexible, resilient member that moves between several positions during actuation of the dispenser.

Abstract: A child-resistant closure and dispensing container package in which the measuring cup has a second, exterior annular wall forming threads engageable with threads on the neck of a container and child-resistant lock means at a lower portion of the wall engageable with complementary lock means on the container in a locked position to prevent unthreading of the closure from the container until the annular wall is deflected to move the complementary lock means out of engagement with each other to permit rotation of the closure in an unthreading direction. Also a seal is provided to prevent leakage during unthreading movement of the closure between fully closed and a locked position of the closure.

Abstract: A spray head is intended for attachment to a spray can having a pressure container, a control valve and an outflow channel for dispensing material, such as shaving gel, which expands after dispensing. The spray head has a flow channel that receives a biassed valve near the spray head outlet. A material expansion absorption arrangement is in communication with flow channel and interacts with a control part that controls spray head operation. The threshold pressure of the biassed valve is higher than the threshold pressure needed for operating the material expansion absorption arrangement. After dispensing a quantity of material, the material expansion absorption arrangement can absorb expanding residual material so that on subsequent use, the material expansion absorption arrangement is returned first to the initial position before the control valve of the spray can is opened. A spray can with such a spray head is also described.