Abstract: Pumps and dispensers having dosage control and various methods for actuating a pump or piston allow users to deliver a product from a container to be used by the user.

Abstract: A dispensing device is disclosed which provides for dispensing multiple doses from a cylindrical volume. An actuator button moves a tooth to engage a series of links which move a stopper to dispense the doses.

Abstract: A dispensing device is disclosed which provides for dispensing multiple doses in amounts determined by a movable collar attached to a plunger shaft.

Abstract: Pre-compression valve systems for trigger sprayers include one-piece valve systems having both check and pre-compression valves or multiple component valve systems. The pre-compression valve is positioned in a vertical cylinder, and may have a flat, concave, or convex surface.

Abstract: A trigger sprayer having a valve body configured to accept a discharge valve for a pre-compression configuration or a valve and plug combination for a non-pre-compression configuration where the discharge valve may include a frame and valve which may be bi-injected or assembled to provide a pre-compression valve for the trigger sprayer.

Abstract: A pump system may include a blown-in dip tube connected to a valve body and having a connection which may include an improved blown-in dip tube connector having one or more of a lip for sealing with a blown-in dip tube, a seal ring configured to mate with a blown-in dip tube and seal therewith, a dip tube lock for mating with a blown-in dip tube, or an o-ring for providing an improved seal with a blown-in dip tube.

Abstract: A blister package including an outer sleeve and a blister receptacle, the blister package having retention panel supporting mechanisms proximate an end of the blister receptacle to support the blister package in the outer sleeve when the blister package is almost completely withdrawn from the outer sleeve and may include one or more locking mechanisms to prevent unwanted opening of the blister package or disengagement of the blister package from the outer sleeve.

Abstract: An aerosol actuator having a button actuator on a top surface thereof and a lever actuator extending away from the button actuator may be assembled with an aerosol container and valve to provide ergonomic application of a product utilizing the aerosol actuator.

Abstract: Snap fitment systems (500) and valve systems (200, 800) for holding valves, pumps, sprayers, or other devices to a container (100) may include plastic components which snap to a container allowing the valve system to be used to evacuate product in the container or allowing the valve system to be used to fill and evacuate product in the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. The carbonated beverage is maintained in a pressurized state within the nozzle and the remainder of the system, until immediately prior to opening a valve to dispense the carbonated beverage into the open container. Prior to opening valve, the pressure of the carbonated beverage nozzle is reduced to an appropriate dispensing pressure, preferably slightly above atmospheric pressure, by slightly enlarging the nozzle volume.

Abstract: A system for dispensing carbonated beverage into an open container precisely controls the temperature of the carbonated beverages using an in-line zero&Dgr;T chiller. The chiller preferably includes a flooded freon-bath heat exchanger in which an output temperature of the carbonated beverage from the heat exchanger matches the temperature of freon within the heat exchanger under normal operating conditions. A pressure sensor measures the pressure of freon in the heat exchanger and a freon valve in the refrigeration circuit is electronically controlled in order to adjust the pressure of the freon and consequently the temperature of the freon in the heat exchanger. The optimum temperature for the carbonated beverage is selected either by choice, or in the case of carbonated beverages on ice to approximately the surface temperature of the ice in order to reduce foaming.

Abstract: A pressurized system for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. The carbonated beverage is maintained in a pressurized state within the nozzle and the remainder of the system, until immediately prior to opening a valve to dispense the carbonated beverage into the open container. Prior to opening valve, the pressure of the carbonated beverage nozzle is reduced to an appropriate dispensing pressure, preferably slightly above atmospheric pressure. The system also precisely controls the temperature of the carbonated beverage, preferably using an in-line zero&Dgr;T chiller. In addition, specialized valve configurations and operation techniques, as well as container positioning techniques, are implemented in order to achieve a desired presentation of the carbonated beverage in the open container.

Abstract: A system for dispensing carbonated beverage and ice into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container in order to dispense the carbonated beverage. Preferably, the carbonated beverage is maintained in a pressurized state within the nozzle until immediately prior to opening the valve in order to maintain appropriate carbonation of the beverage. It is preferred that ice be added after the nozzle is located proximate the bottom of the open container. The ice dispenser includes a funnel located concentrically around the nozzle in order to supply ice around the nozzle into the open container. In order to avoid excessive foaming, it is important that the temperature of the carbonated beverage be chilled to approximately the surface temperature of the ice being added into the open container.

Abstract: An automated open container holder automatically raises and lowers an open container in a carbonated beverage dispensing system. The holder is preferably a cantilevered horizontal platform which is driven vertically relative to an outlet port of a dispensing nozzle via an electronically controlled actuator during the dispensing cycle. The dispensing nozzle is designed to bottom fill the open container, and it is desirable that the outlet port of the nozzle be located proximate to a bottom of the open container at least until the outlet port is submerged. The container holder as well as the open container are selectively positioned in accordance with a preselected pouring profile such that for a given dispensing temperature, pressure and flow profile, the container holder selectively positions the open container. This allows the vendor or supplier to program a preferred or several preferred presentations for the beverage depending on the timing of preselected turbulence during the pour.

Abstract: A system for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. Specialized valve configurations and operation techniques are implemented in order to achieve enhanced flow characteristics of the carbonated beverage dispensing into the open container. Preferably, the valve head has a distribution surface in which a portion of the distribution surface near a proximal end of the valve head slopes more steeply downward than the portion of the distribution surface that is located towards the distal end of the valve head. With this configuration, the valve head gently redirects the flow trajectory of the carbonated beverage existing the nozzle from a substantially downward trajectory to a more horizontal umbrella like trajectory. It has been found that such a trajectory provides particularly favorable results.

Abstract: A spigot actuator assembly for dispensing liquid from a spigot mounted on a projecting spout of a bag-in-box container for operating a dispensing lever on the spigot to move the dispensing lever from a horizontal closed position to an upwardly projecting open position for dispensing the liquid from the container, and for quickly replacing the container when desired. A method of using the spigot actuator assembly including snapping the spigot actuator assembly onto the spout, pushing down on a lever of the spigot actuating assembly for dispensing the liquid, releasing the actuator assembly to automatically close the spout, and snapping off the actuator assembly from the spout when it is desired to remove the container, and snapping a replacement container onto the actuator assembly.

Abstract: An all-purpose dispensing unit for dispensing liquid products such as milk, cream, juices, iced tea, water, liquid eggs, fruit drinks, lemonade, wine, and other liquids, and for dispensing bulk products such as salad dressings and condiments including ketchup and mustard, comprises a cabinet having a chamber adapted to receive one or more cartridges with each cartridge containing a different selected liquid to be dispensed. Each cartridge comprises a container for holding the liquid, a front door panel on the cartridge adapted to close the front wall opening of the cabinet chamber to prevent the escape of cold air from the chamber and act as a door to the cabinet chamber, and a dispensing valve extending outwardly from the front door panel and connected to the liquid in the container.

Abstract: A device for connecting a dispenser having a circular outer periphery with a first diameter to a glass container having a flanged open neck, which employs a flat circular non metallic ring shaped gasket engaging the upper surface of the flange. A metal ferrule has a flat circular top with an opening through which the dispenser extends. The top overlies and engages the upper surface of the gasket. A vertical hollow cylinder having an upper end coincident with the top extends downward along the outer vertical surface of the flange with a lower end terminating in a plurality of spaced fingers. A second vertical cylinder having a central opening through which the dispenser extends, extends vertically downward along the outside surface of the first cylinder past the spaced fingers, the inner surface of the second cylinder engaging the fingers and forcing them into locking engagement with the outer surface of the flange.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a novel adapter clamp and power system which can be used in an aerosol dispensers. More particularly, the novel adapter clamp enables various aerosol spray nozzle systems to be connected to various constructions of aerosol containers utilizing various aerosol power systems. An adapter for enabling a nozzle to be fitted to the top of an aerosol container comprising: (a) a circular ridge formed at the top of the adapter, the ridge being adapted to mate with a rim of an aerosol nozzle; (b) a lip formed around the exterior surface of the adapter at a location below the ridge, the lip being adapted to mate with the periphery edge of the opening in the top of an aerosol container; and (c) an extension at the base of the adapter adapted to extend into the interior of the container, the extension having an opening therein, and being adapted to receive in bearing support the upper region of a first hollow-closed end bladder adapted to power a liquid contained in the aerosol container.