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: 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: An improved canister assembly for a multi-fluid dispenser is shown and described. The canister assembly comprises an annular outer shell with an outer cylindrical wall connected to a bottom which, in turn, is connected to an inner cylindrical wall that serves as a standpipe. The bottom includes an outlet connected to a pump A hollow agitator shaft slides over the inner standpipe and includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades for stirring or “agitating” the fluid. An annular screen element is disposed below the bottom end of the agitator shaft. Beneath the annular screen element is a lower agitator blade element The lower blade element and the lower end of the agitator shaft are snap-fitted together with the annular screen element sandwiched therebetween. The screen element includes a cylindrical shell with the annular screen disposed upwards from the lower end of the cylindrical shell so that the screen is spaced above the bottom wall and to make room for the lower blade element.

Abstract: A combination gravimetric and volumetric fluid dispenser which includes a scale linked to a controller. The controller is linked to a plurality of two stage valves which control the dispensing of large quantities of base materials. The controller is also linked to a plurality of nutating pumps which together with the controller controls the dispensing of smaller quantities of additive materials. The base material dispensing valves include stepper motor actuators having multiple steps per revolution and are under the control of an analog signal from a controller. The base material dispensing valve is opened or closed via a rod that is slidably raised or lowered upon rotation of the drive shaft of the stepper motor actuator.

Abstract: An improved multi fluid dispenser for simultaneous dispensing of a plurality of fluids shown and described. The dispenser includes a controller that is linked to a coordinator board. The controller has a memory with a plurality of recipes stored in the memory. A coordinator board is linked to a first module. The first module may include one or two pumps, each connected to a fluid reservoir. The module is then linked in series to a plurality of other modules as well as a manifold module. Each module includes a module board for controlling the pump or pumps of that module. The controller, coordinator board and module boards are all programmed for the simultaneous or sequential pumping of multiple fluids from the reservoirs through outlet nozzles of the manifold in accordance with a recipe selected by the user and retrieved from the memory of the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, ice cream base that has been sufficiently aerated, and flavor. The horizontal freeze plate rotates about its central axis. The apparatus also includes a spreader body for distributing the chilled aerated mix on the rotating freeze plate. The spreader body extends radially across at least a portion of the upper surface of the freeze plate. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a scraper blade with a leading edge that extends radially across the portion of the freeze plate and that engages the upper surface of the freeze plate. The scraper blade is directed opposite the direction of rotation of the freeze plate.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a fluid dispenser includes a housing having at least a first opening and a second opening, and a valve member fitted in the housing, the valve member being rotatable about an axis and comprising a first channel, extending along said axis and communicating with the first opening in the housing, and at least two outlet channels radially extending from the first channel to the circumference of the valve member, wherein each of the radially extending outlet channels can be brought in register with the second opening by rotating the valve member.

Abstract: A manually operated seal/closure system for a fluid dispenser manifold is disclosed The manifold includes at least one nozzle and, more typically, a plurality of nozzles ranging from more than one to twelve or more. The manifold housing includes a sidewall or other stationary structure. The stationary sidewall is pivotally connected to an arm. The sidewall further includes a lateral slot and a curved slot. The arm includes a proximal end pivotally connected to the sidewall and a distal end with an elongated slot disposed therebetween. The closure system also includes a bracket for supporting a cup and a seal. The bracket is coupled to the arm and the sidewall by a first pin that extends from the bracket through the lateral slot in the sidewall and through the elongated slot of the arm. The brackets also coupled to the sidewall by a second pin that extends through the lateral slot of the sidewall and laterally between the first pin and the manifold.

Abstract: An improved canister assembly for a multi-fluid dispenser is shown and described. The canister assembly comprises an annular outer shell with an outer cylindrical wall connected to a bottom which, in turn, is connected to an inner cylindrical wall that serves as a standpipe. The bottom includes an outlet connected to a pump A hollow agitator shaft slides over the inner standpipe and includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades for stirring or “agitating” the fluid. An annular screen element is disposed below the bottom end of the agitator shaft. Beneath the annular screen element is a lower agitator blade element The lower blade element and the lower end of the agitator shaft are snap-fitted together with the annular screen element sandwiched therebetween. The screen element includes a cylindrical shell with the annular screen disposed upwards from the lower end of the cylindrical shell so that the screen is spaced above the bottom wall and to make room for the lower blade element.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids, comprising a plurality of pumps, having a connector for releasably connecting, to the respective pump, a container, which holds a fluid and comprises a connector-counterpart, and at least one actuator for releasing a container from a connector, which the actuator is adapted to operatively engage the connector-counterpart and, upon engaging this counterpart, pull the same onto the connector and establish a fluid connection between the respective pump and the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of powders, such as colorants for paint, caulking or grout or components of cosmetics, comprising a plurality of containers for holding the powders, a plurality of metering powder pumps, connected to a container or having a connector for releasably connecting a container to the respective powder pump, wherein the capacity of the metering powder pump is selectable.

Abstract: A fluid mixer is disclosed which alters or changes the operation of the automatic clamping mechanism for different sizes, shapes and styles of containers. Removable and replaceable bottom plates are used on the lower base. These bottom plates have indicia on the resting surfaces thereof which provides the user with a clear indication as to which type of container is used with each plate surface. Typically, both surfaces of the replaceable/reversible bottom plates are used for different styles of containers. The bottom plate provides an identification to a sensor associated with a lower base for communicating a signal to the controller. By selecting the appropriate bottom plate and installing it on the lower base, a signal is generated and sent to the controller indicative of the type of container loaded into the mixing apparatus.

Abstract: A closure system for a fluid outlet is disclosed which includes a motor threadably connected to a hub which, in turn, is connected to a closure element or cup that provides a sealing cover beneath one or more nozzles. The action of the motor initially lowers the closure element vertically before pivoting the closure element away from the area directly beneath the nozzle or nozzles. After fluid is dispensed, a biasing element pivots the closure element back into place before it is raised vertically again to provide a seal or cover for the one or more nozzles. The hub is designed to pivot only a partial revolution and the pivoting action of the hub and closure element away from the nozzle area overcomes the bias of the biasing element contained within the hub. The biasing element then pivots the hub and closure element back into place before the biasing element raises the hub and closure element to its original position.

Abstract: An improved fluid dispenser specially adapted to provide sample-size amounts of a fluid mixture is shown and described. An automated closure and seal system is provided for the manifold that moves, on command from a controller, from a closed or sealed position thereby limiting exposure of the manifold and fluid outlet nozzles from the ambient atmosphere, to a dispense system where a sample-size container is held up against and engaging a lower end of the manifold for a sealing element disposed on a lower portion of the manifold. When the dispense is complete, the system automatically moves back toward a closed position where the filled container is held open and ready to be removed by a technician before it is capped and labeled.

Abstract: A combination gravimetric and volumetric fluid dispenser is disclosed which includes a scale linked to a controller. The controller is linked to a plurality of two stage valves which control the dispensing of large quantities of base materials. The controller is also linked to a plurality of nutating pumps which together with the controller controls the dispensing of smaller quantities of additive materials. The dispensing system disclosed is particularly useful for paints or other liquid formulations where large quantities of base materials are added and which can be added by weight and whereby precise measurements of the larger base materials is not particularly required. However, the incorporation of nutating pumps and the addition of smaller amounts of additives by volume using the nutating pumps enables precise dispensing of the additives, such as colorants for paint. The base material dispensing valves include stepper motor actuators having multiple steps per revolution.

Abstract: A combination gravimetric and volumetric fluid dispenser is disclosed which includes a scale linked to a controller. The controller is linked to a plurality of two stage valves which control the dispensing of large quantities of base materials. The controller is also linked to a plurality of nutating pumps which together with the controller controls the dispensing of smaller quantities of additive materials. The dispensing system disclosed is particularly useful for paints or other liquid formulations where larger quantities of base materials are added and which can be added by weight and whereby precise measurements of the larger base materials is not particularly required. However, the incorporation of nutating pumps and the addition of smaller amounts of additives by volume using the nutating pumps enables precise dispensing of the additives, such as colorants for paint. The larger containers or reservoirs of base material may be disposed at a remote location from the dispensing apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of powders or flowable materials, such as colorants for paint, caulking or grout or components of cosmetics, comprising a plurality of containers for holding the powders or flowable materials, a plurality of metering pumps, connected to a container or having a connector for releasably connecting a container to the respective pump, wherein the capacity of the metering pump is selectable.

Abstract: A method of mixing customized cosmetic products at a point of sale is disclosed. The method includes a suspension free of colorant to a container, adding one or more suspensions containing one or more colorants on top of the non-colorant containing suspension and adding one or more suspensions containing additional non-colorant ingredients on top of the one or more suspensions including the colorants, closing the container and mixing the suspension using a gyroscopic-type or rotary-type mixing apparatus. The container sidewall and bottom surface are coated with suspensions not containing colorant which prevents colorant materials from adhering to the sidewall and bottom portion of the container thereby providing for a more effective mixing of a customized cosmetic product at the point of purchase.