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: Assembly for dispensing a liquid, in particular a colorant for paint, comprising a container for holding a liquid, a pump, a valve, at least one dispense opening, and comprising or associated with a controller arranged to operate the pump and the valve to withdraw liquid from the container and to dispense liquid via the opening and to operate the pump and the valve to purge liquid from the pump to the container via the dispense opening.

Abstract: An actuator system having a stationary circular array of mechanical devices. The actuator system includes two stationary motors: one motor to rotate the actuator implement around the circular array of mechanical devices until the desired mechanical device is reached; and a second motor to rotate the actuator implement into engagement with an actuator pin of the mechanical device. A nozzle includes a three-sided or U-shaped stationary enclosure, together with a movable gate that completes the enclosure and forms an adjustable size nozzle outlet. As the gate closes after a dispense is complete, a controlled flow of residual liquid exits the nozzle outlet to avoid any additional displacement, thus preventing the undesirable effect of liquid being squeezed out of the nozzle outlet as the gate closes. Conversely, when the gate opens, this sniff back action operates in reverse, thereby filling the nozzle outlet and preventing air from filling the nozzle.

Abstract: Method of homogenizing a liquid, in particular a colorant for paint, in a container, comprising the steps of withdrawing liquid from the container at a first flow speed (S1) and then returning the liquid to the container at a second flow speed (S2), higher than the first flow speed (S1).

Abstract: A valve assembly for a dispenser for fluids including: a housing having at least an inlet opening and an outlet opening and a further opening connected or connectable to a fluid displacement mechanism, and a valve member including two parts translatably disposed within the housing, a first part for closing and opening the inlet and a second part for opening and closing the outlet.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid container and a metering unit is disclosed. The container comprises a fluid level sensor and the dispenser comprises a control unit configured to determine a parameter value representative for an amount of fluid in the container after refill on basis of a signal from the sensor. The sensor can for example be configured to generate a signal at a predefined fluid level (B, C), while the control unit is configured to calculate a fluid level on basis of an input value indicative of the fluid level (A) after refill, and a dispense value indicative of amounts of fluid dispensed since the latest refill. The control unit can be configured to compare the signalled predefined fluid level (B, C) with the calculated fluid level to generate a correction factor.

Abstract: A tri-chamber nutating pump is disclosed which includes two pump chambers disposed within a pump housing that accommodates a nutating piston. A reciprocating compensating piston is also provided with its own compensating housing that is connected to the outlet. As a cumulative output from the first two pump chambers reaches its maximum level, the compensating piston is pushed into the outlet or through a passage to reduce the output of the first two chambers and avoid splashing. As the output from the first two chambers reaches its minimum level, the compensating piston is withdrawn from the outlet or through a passage thereby increasing the output of the third chamber to its maximum level when the output from the first two pump chambers reaches its minimum level.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids, comprising a support, such as a turntable or a linear table, a plurality of containers for holding a fluid and mounted on the support, pumps and valves connected to respective containers, at least a common actuator for sequentially operating the pumps and a common actuator for sequentially operating the valves to dispense fluid and a drive mechanism for moving the support, and thus the containers, pumps, and valves on the one hand and the actuator on the other relative to each other. The common actuators for sequentially operating the pumps and valves and optionally the drive mechanism for relative motion of the support are integrated in a module, which module is releasably mounted in the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is described for measuring non-invasively level of contents inside an array of containers without setting up any electrodes or attaching sensors around the containers, or inserting of a probe inside. Electromagnetic waves are launched from the bottom of the containers using launchers embedded in a tray the containers rest on. These waves travel through the bulk of the contents inside the container using a mode of propagation similar to dielectric waveguides or optical fibers and set up standing waves due to reflection at the content-air interface. The level inside the container is a function of the complex reflection coefficient (magnitude and phase) at the launcher input and can be thus determined by measuring the complex reflection coefficient.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid container and a metering unit is disclosed. The container comprises a fluid level sensor and the dispenser comprises a control unit configured to determine a parameter value representative for an amount of fluid in the container after refill on basis of a signal from the sensor. The sensor can for example be configured to generate a signal at a predefined fluid level (B, C), while the control unit is configured to calculate a fluid level on basis of an input value indicative of the fluid level (A) after refill, and a dispense value indicative of amounts of fluid dispensed since the latest refill. The control unit can be configured to compare the signalled predefined fluid level (B, C) with the calculated fluid level to generate a correction factor.

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, a base that has been sufficiently aerated, and at least one 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: An apparatus for selectively dispensing liquids, such as paint colorants. The apparatus comprises container assemblies with a container and a pump. A pump conduit connects the pump to a valve assembly. A recirculation conduit connects the container to the valve assembly bypassing the pump. The valve assembly is configured to be switched between a dispensing position and a recirculation position closing off the dispense conduit. Method of preventing segregation of a multiphase liquid in a pump conduit between a container and a dispense conduit. A valve assembly between the pump conduit and the dispense conduit closes off the dispense conduit while it opens a recirculation conduit between the container and the valve assembly. The liquid is circulated via a circuit formed by the container, the pump conduit, the valve assembly and the recirculation unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a plurality of fluids, comprising a support, such as a turntable or a linear table, a plurality of containers for holding a fluid and mounted on the support, pumps and valves connected to respective containers, at least a common actuator for sequentially operating the pumps and a common actuator for sequentially operating the valves to dispense fluid and a drive mechanism for moving the support, and thus the containers, pumps, and valves on the one hand and the actuator on the other relative to each other. The common actuators for sequentially operating the pumps and valves and optionally the drive mechanism for relative motion of the support are integrated in a module, which module is releasably mounted in the apparatus.

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 coupled to the sidewall and a distal end coupled to a push plate. The closure system also includes a bracket for supporting a cup and a spring-biased seal. The bracket is coupled to the arm and slidably coupled the sidewall by a pin that extends from the bracket through the lateral slot in the sidewall.

Abstract: A non-invasive liquid level sensing system for monitoring the amount of liquid in at least one container includes a platform for supporting the at least one container, at least one holder associated with the at least one container supported by the platform, a source for generating a radio frequency signal, circuitry in communication with the at least one holder for transmitting the radio frequency signal through the at least one holder into the at least one container and receiving a portion of the radio frequency signal reflected at a liquid-air interface in the at least one container, and circuitry for processing the reflected radio frequency signal and determining the amount of liquid in the at least one container.

Abstract: A grinding apparatus for dispensing a dose of ground frozen material starting from a frozen block includes a grinding unit for grinding the frozen block in order to provide an amount of ground frozen material and a feeding unit for feeding the frozen block to the grinding unit. In particular, the feeding unit includes a feeding member that is adapted for moving frozen block for a desired predetermined grinding stroke against grinding unit such that a grinding length of block is ground. A grinding unit provides at least one grater and one motor for causing the grater to rotate. In order to obtain a desired weight of the dose, a volume of frozen material is calculated that corresponds to said weight, since the density of the frozen material is known.