Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for providing level sensing of a fluid in a dispenser canister. The sensor includes a housing having a fluid cavity configured to receive a fluid therein, with the housing having an open end and an opening in a wall opposite the open end. The sensor has a diaphragm coupled to and closing the open end of the housing and a sensing device having a sensing end. The sensing device is coupled to the housing with the sensing end extending into the opening of the wall of the housing, thereby not making direct contact with the fluid.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for providing level sensing of a fluid in a dispenser canister. The sensor includes a housing having a fluid cavity configured to receive a fluid therein, with the housing having an open end and an opening in a wall opposite the open end. The sensor has a diaphragm coupled to and closing the open end of the housing and a sensing device having a sensing end. The sensing device is coupled to the housing with the sensing end extending into the opening of the wall of the housing, thereby not making direct contact with the fluid.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a colorant dispensing system that has a colorant dispensing head and a platform for holding a target canister into which colorant is dispensed. A light array can be used produce a light pattern in an arc of a circle at a height of an opening of the target canister. The light pattern can be focused at the opening of the target canister, to help a user align the opening with the dispensing head. The dispensing head is configured to dispense colorant within the boundary of the circle, such that the light pattern can act as a type of target for dispensing colorant into the opening of the canister to avoid issues when tinting. A control unit can be used with an interface to control the light array to accommodate different sized and shaped canisters.

Abstract: A fitting for use in a manifold or other tubular assembly includes a core and at least one tubular coupling sleeve slidably and sealingly fitted over a distal end of the core to accommodate predetermined tolerances in the relative positions of fluid ports connected with the tubular assembly. Features are provided to limit the range of motion to the predetermined tolerances and to prevent disassembly of the coupling sleeve from the core of the fitting.

Abstract: A connector for providing a leak resistant flow path between fluid conduits includes a female connector, a male connector, and a tubular fluid conduit that extends through a conduit passage in the male connector and into a conduit receiving passage in the female connector. The connector can include optional anti-cantilever features that provide a more effective axial seal when using a seal washer recessed into a planar surface of the male connector to supplement a radial seal provided by an O-ring sealing member between the tubular fluid conduit and the conduit receiving passage.

Abstract: Liquid dispenser and method for operating such a liquid dispenser, such as a dispenser for tinting pastes. The dispenser comprises at least one liquid container and at least one reciprocating pump. First, a suction stroke is carried out at a set pump speed. After the suction stroke, the pump is closed off. Then, a pressure stroke is started while the pump is closed.

Abstract: The invention features compact systems and methods for vacuum liquid purification and extraction of a liquid sample.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a colorant dispensing system that has a colorant dispensing head and a platform for holding a target canister into which colorant is dispensed. A light array can be used produce a light pattern in an arc of a circle at a height of an opening of the target canister. The light pattern can be focused at the opening of the target canister, to help a user align the opening with the dispensing head. The dispensing head is configured to dispense colorant within the boundary of the circle, such that the light pattern can act as a type of target for dispensing colorant into the opening of the canister to avoid issues when tinting. A control unit can be used with an interface to control the light array to accommodate different sized and shaped canisters.

Abstract: Liquid dispenser and method for operating such a liquid dispenser, such as a dispenser for tinting pastes. The dispenser comprises at least one liquid container and at least one reciprocating pump. First, a suction stroke is carried out at a set pump speed. After the suction stroke, the pump is closed off. Then, a pressure stroke is started while the pump is closed.

Abstract: A method and system of measuring the size distribution of particles within dilute colloids, for example, through variation of the minimum detected size of aerosolized colloid particles. The method of determining the size distribution of particles in a fluid, involves forming a stream of aerosol droplets of the fluid, the droplets containing particles and dissolved material evaporating the droplets to generate particles, and measuring the concentration of particles by varying a detection threshold. A system or apparatus for determining the size distribution of particles in a fluid, includes a droplet former for forming a stream, of aerosol droplets of the fluid, the droplets containing particles and dissolved material, and a condensation particle detector for evaporating the droplets to generate particles and for measuring the concentration of particles, the condensation particle detector having a variable detection threshold.

Abstract: A system for detecting the level of a fluid in a dispensing container may comprise a pressure sensor comprising a detection end disposed inside a dispensing canister. The dispensing canister may have a top and a bottom that is configured to dispense a fluid. The pressure sensor may be operably attached to the canister. The system may further comprise a processing unit comprising a motor control board and a control circuit comprising a processor and programming resident in memory to determine the level at which the fluid is present.

Abstract: One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a way to dispense a variety of liquids, such as paint tinting liquids, while mitigating some problems associated with such systems. A system can help to mitigate these issues by adjusting the temperature at the nozzle tip to match dew point temperature conditions of the ambient air. In controlling the nozzle temperature and environment at the nozzle tip, for example, drying and condensation may be mitigated. A nozzle can be coupled with a nozzle block and temperature controller to control the temperature of the nozzle. A variety of sensors can be used to detect environmental conditions, and a system controller can use the sensor readings to adjust the temperature of the temperature controller to match an ambient dew point.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of liquids, in particular colorants for paints, comprising a support, such as a turntable or a linear table, defining a plurality of positions and a plurality of containers holding a liquid, mounted on the support at the positions, and provided with a pump and/or a valve for dispensing the liquid from the container. At least some of the containers form, together with a respective liquid and pump and/or valve, a cartridge, which cartridge is releasably mounted in the apparatus.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing tinting pastes comprising cleaning means for neutralizing microorganisms and/or preservatives. The cleaning means may for example include an actinic source (e.g., UV-C) and/or anti-microbiological coatings or liners and/or a dosing unit for agents neutralizing preservatives in the tinting paste and/or in the useds base paint.

Abstract: A mechanism for clamping a container, the clamping mechanism comprising a support structure on which a first clamping member and an opposing second clamping member defining an adjustable clamping distance therebetween are mounted, at least one of the first and second clamping member being controllably moveable to increase or decrease the clamping distance by an electrical actuator means, which electrical actuator means is controllable by a control means. A resilient compression means is mounted outside of the clamping distance and wherein the control means is configured to measure, in operation, an electrical characteristic of the electrical actuator means during a compression of the resilient compression means by at least one of the first and second clamping member. The mechanism also pertains to a fluid mixer for paints, colourants and the like, comprising such a clamping mechanism and to a method for calibrating a clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A container (1) for a viscous liquid, in particular a colorant for paint, may comprise a stirrer (2) having a rotatable shaft (3) and a plurality of paddles (4) connected to the shaft (3). At least one of the paddles (4) and/or the connections (5) between the paddles (4) and the shaft (4) is flexible.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids, comprising a plurality of fluid containers and a carrier on which a plurality of pumps is mounted. Each one of said plurality of fluid containers is releasably connectable to an associated pump of said plurality of pumps via a connector assembly thereby forming a fluid connection between the fluid container and the associated pump. The connector assembly comprising a first connector to the associated pump and a mating second connector to the respective fluid container and wherein at least one of said plurality of fluid containers comprises a refill opening for refilling the fluid container.

Abstract: The invention relates to a mixer, in particular for mixing viscous fluids, such as paints and plasters, in a container, the mixer comprising a frame, a clamping mechanism for holding a container, which mechanism is translatably and/or rotatably mounted in the frame, a motor for translatably and/or rotatably driving the clamping mechanism a sensor for measuring vibrations of the clamping mechanism, and a controller connected to the sensor and the motor and arranged to control the motor to adjust translations and/or rotations of the clamping mechanism in dependence of the measured vibrations.

Abstract: A system for facilitating communication of information between an information source positioned inside a refrigerated environment and a position outside the refrigerated environment comprising a transmitter for transmitting a signal including the information, a planar antenna fixed to a gasket for resonating the transmitted signal, the gasket providing a seal between the refrigerated compartment and a door providing access to the refrigerated compartment, and a receiver for receiving the signal including the information. The information could include information concerning at least one container positioned in a refrigerated environment. The system may utilize a Wi-Fi device, a Bluetooth® device, RFID device, or other devices for transmitting the information.